NO PROSECUTION

Grey River Argus, 7 May 1942, Page 4

NO PROSECUTION

MR. J. ROBERTS AND ARBITRATION COURT. WELLINGTON, May 6. In the, House to-night Mr. W. A. Bodkin (National Central Otago), associated with Mr. Harker. (Nat. Waipawa), gave notice to ask the Minister of Justice, (Mr. Mason), if his attention had been drawn to an announcement of the Full Court in the recent prosecution of “The Standard,” and the "Evening Post” newspapers to the effect that as there apparently was a prima facie case against Mr. Jas Roberts, appropriate action should be taken by the Law Officers of the Crown, and whether the Minister would state if the Government had directed that such action be taken

Hon. Mr. Mason said that he would reply to the question immediately. He announced that he intended to take no action in the matter. The statement of the Full Court, he pointed out, was and could not be part of the Court’s judgment, because the two questions answered in the statement—viz (1), whether there was a prima facie case against Mr. Roberts, and (2), what was the duty of the Law Officers of the Crown in relation to Mr. Roberti, - had not been submitted to the Court for its determination. Mr. Mason went on to discuss the various legal aspects of the situation. He concluded that a protracted, and doubtful struggle on such an issue could not really enhance the authority of the Court.