ALLEGED SLANDER.

Evening Star, Issue 12767, 21 March 1906, Page 6

ALLEGED SLANDER.

THE LYNE-M'ARTHUR CASE. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, March 20. : The hearing of the action for alleged slander, in which the are W. and A. M'Arthur, Limited, and the defendant is Sir-William Lyne, M.L.A., Federal Minister of Customs' was continued today. The damages claimed are £5,000. Mr J. F. M'Arthur and Sir W. M'Millan, directors, and some of the employees of the firm of M'Arthur and Co., were examined, and positively denied that the words " Made in England" were placed in locally-manu-factured hats. Sir W. M'Millan admitted that he and Sir William Lyne were political antagonists, but there was nothing of that hi this matter. Counsel for defendant asked for a nonsuit on the ground that the occasion of uttering the alleged slander was privileged. The application was refused. He then stated that the defence was a denial of the words complained of, and that other words were used. Kir William Lyne gave evidence that he twice visited Anderson's hat factory, and saw the process of manufacture. There was nothing in the hats to indicate where they were made. Anderson's managing director told him something. The alleged slander was uttered during a conversation with Senator Pulsford at the time of the introduction of" the Commerce Bill, which Senator Pulsford viciously opposed. Sir William. Lyne's version of the conversation was that Senator Pulsford claimed that sufficient indication was given of where goods were made without the Bill. Sir William Lyne replied that M'Arthur and Co. were the principal purchasers of hats from Anderson, and there was' nothing to indicate that the hats were, made in Australia. '' The purchaser might go and buy the hats I have seen and believe they were made in ." At this point Senator Pulsford interjected "in England," and he (Sir William Lyne) added "Yes. or in Germany." He was distinctly clear this was what actually occurred. He denied tho words attributed to him by Senator Pulsford. He made no imputation, and intended none, against M'Arthur and'Co.'s honesty. The remark was made in a semiserious fashion. Mr Deakin (the Federal Premier) gave evidence that he was present when the conversation took place. Senator Pulsford showed great heat. He heard no such statement by defendant as that imputed to him by plaintiffs. Senator Playford said th?»t though present at the , conversation, he had iio recollection of it.