FORMER PRESIDENT SUES HOROLOGICAL INSTITUTE FOR LIBEL

Evening Star, Issue 26185, 21 August 1947, Page 11

FORMER PRESIDENT SUES HOROLOGICAL INSTITUTE FOR LIBEL

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, Aug.-20. An article published in the ‘ Horological Journal ’ of August, 1946, discussing the Bill for the national registration of, watchmakers and clockmakers is the subject of a libel action before Mr Justice Callan and a jury. The plaintiff, Paul E. Calame, watchmaker, of Auckland, claims £550 damages against the New Zealand Horological Institute, of which lie was onetime president. The, article complained of said: “ All accredited watchmakers and the watchmaking and jewellery trade at large supported the proposed Bill,” "and spoke of the “ attempted subversive activities -of • two ‘ -isolationists,-’ one at Christchurch and the other at Auckland, both men of unethical repute.” The article 'also spoke .of ‘‘ their typical brazen misrepresentation revealed in circulars.” : ' ' '

Plaintiff said these passages were understood to mean that he had been guilty of publishing untruths, that he was a person of bad repute among watchmakers and clockmakers, and acted in a manner considered fraudulent and dishonest by persons in the trade. '

The defence denied that the words had any defamatory meaning or that the plaintiff had suffered injury through them. It further claimed that the words were true, that they were fair and bona fide comment without malice, and that they were privileged. The hearing is proceeding.