ALLEGED LIBEL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1180, 1 December 1924, Page 9

ALLEGED LIBEL.

ELLIOTT v. WORKER CASE. “CARRY ON,” SAYS MAGISTRATE. In the Magistrate’s Court at Wellington on Friday Air E. Page, S.M., gave ids decision as to whether a prime facie case had been established by the defence in the east! in . which Howard Elliott proceeded against the - New Zealand Worker and John. Glover for £IOO damages for alleged libel against plaintiff, contained in a report of a speech by Mr H. E. Holland, M.P., published in the Worker. . Tlie Magistrate staled that counsel for the plaintiff had asked tho court to give a ruling as to whether the facts proved by defendants required an answer by plaintiff, “1 do not think that the court should expres an opinion on the matter at the piesent stage of the proceedings,” he said. "So far as 1 am aware it is not the. practice, and the lew authorities I have been able to find are against plaintiff. I think plaintiff’s counsel must decide what course it is proposed to follow. When all the evidence has been called and counsel have been heard I will come to a decision on tho whole ease.” .

Tho ease was adojurned until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday next.