Union Officials In Slander Action

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 62, 15 March 1938, Page 7

Union Officials In Slander Action

PLAINTIFF’S GRACIOUS GESTURE Per Press Association. GREYMOUTH, Last Night. In an action in the Magistrate’s Court before Mr. Ferner, S.M., Sophia Elizabeth McLagan, of Brunner, claimed £IOO from John Rea, of Greymouth, alleging that on November 12 Rea stated: “You know quite well what Doyle is doing. He gave his wife to McLagan and now both are living together.” Rea is a member of the Westland Timber workers’ Union executive, of which Doyle is president. Plaintiff is the wife of the president of the New Zealand Federation of Labour. Lengthy evidence was given for plaintiff by F. L. Turley, secretary of the union and the New Zealand union, and Albert V. Hill, also a member of the executive, both of whom said the statement was made in their presence. Rea denied the allegations, stating the case had been framed against him by Turley and Hill, who strongly opposed him in union matters, particularly Doyle and Turley’s action in making a protest to the Prime Minister against the broadcast of a sermon by Father Crowe, of Wellington. The Magistrate held that the case was proved, and Mr. W. D. Taylor, for McLagan, said plaintiff had no intention of making money out of the action and would be satisfied if Rea paid the costs.

Mr. K. W. Hannan, for the defence, said it was a most gracious offer and he would advise his client to accept. The case was adjourned sine die. Tho evidence of plaintiff showed that she obtained a decree absolute against Doyle at Timaru on July 30, 1930, and married McLagan in the registry office at Christchurch on August 5, 1930. She had never previously seen or heard of Rea and knew no reason why he should have made the statement..