ANONYMOUS COMMENT.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 2775, 17 October 1923, Page 5

ANONYMOUS COMMENT.

"EVENING POST" FINED.

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Oct 16

The Inspector of Factories took action to-day in the Arbitration Court against the proprietors of the "Evening Post" for the publication of a letter touching a matter was sub judice in a conciliation case. It was alleged that the defendants published, on July 20 last, an anonymous 'letter, signed "Awahuri," which waß calculated to prejudicially affect the hotel and restaurant workers' and employers' dispute, then under consideration by the Conciliation Council. Mr Fair, for the Crown, said that the action was brought in order to draw attention to the scrupulous care that must be exercised in the publication of letters bearing upon a case under consideration by the Arbitration Court or Conciliation Council. The offence was admitted by the defendants, who were represented by Air O'Leary, who said that the offence was not deliberate, but an act of amission. "The Post" endeavoured to be scrupulously fair, especially in its dealings with industrial matters. Mr Fair admitted that the "Post" had a reputation for accuracy and fair dealing.' Mr Justice Frazer said that although the Conciliation Council was affected prejudicially by the publication of the letter, the Court absolved the news, paper from any suggestion that it was printed with deliberate intention. The case was only the second of its kind under the Act, and he appreciated the difficulty in discriminating between a matter of legitimate general comment and one which might have a bearing on a case before the Council or the Court. He paid a tribute to the "Evening Past's" reputation for fair dealing and impartiality. The present proceedings were more in the nature of a warning and a reminder of the existence of the section of'the Act. The defendants were ordered; to pay the costs of the prosecution, £3 3/.