COLONEL CAMPBELL

Evening Star, Issue 21007, 22 January 1932, Page 9

COLONEL CAMPBELL

NEW GUARD LEADER COURT CASE CONTINUED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, January 21. When the hearing of the charge against Colonel Campbell, leader of the Now Guard, was resumed, Mr Lamb, who is appearing for the defence, announced that ho had subpoenaed the Premier (Mr J. T. Lang), the head of the Transport Board (Mr Goode), and the Publicity Officer for the Government (Mr Sleeman). • “We shall see whether the position taken up by the defendant Campbell is the position that really obtained in the political world,” said Mr Lamb, who added that a certain newspaper had called Mr Lang a liar and a defaulter, and said lie should bo behind bars. “ There is no difference between that and what Campbell said, except that you cannot charge a newspaper under this Act.” Mr Sheahan, who is appearing for the prosecution, contended that Campbell had made bad use of the liberty provided by the defamation laws. He was charged under the Vagrancy Act, which aimed at the preservation of order, and whether words used by a reputable or a disreputable person about a reputable or disreputable person were true or false, if they were insulting, an offence had been committed. “We claim that the words are not only insulting, but are threatening,” said Mr Sheahan. Campbell had said: “ This man (meaning Mr Lang) shall not open the harbour bridge,” and any weakminded person who heard that might take the law into his own hands. The contention that Mr Lang had made certain doubtful appointments to the Legislative Council were incorrect, as these were made by the Governor, The further submission that Goode had been guilty of bribery and corruption could be proved by another action, if Mr Lamb chose to adopt that course.

The magistrate ruled that defendant was not entitled to adduce in evidence the truth of any statement charged against him as insulting. Mr Lamb then said; I propose to give evidence that a number of persons who were appointed by the Government to positions under the Crown were criminals. , The Magistrate: 1 certainly will rule it out. Continuing his evidence, Sergeant Lendrum, the police shorthand writer, said he was insulted by words used in Campbell’s speech. Mr Lamb: To whom did you first mention you were insulted? Witness: the Chief Commissioner of Police. Mr Lamb; Did he laugh at you? Witness; No. Detective-sergeant Watkins, who also heard Campbell’s speech* gave evidence that certain references to the Premier were most insulting; such statments as “ Nasty tyrant,” “ Scoundrel,” and “ Buffoon.” Mr Lamb: Didn’t you shake hands with Campbell after the meeting and congratulate him? Witness: I shook hands. That was