“People’s Voice” Publisher Charged With Contempt

Northern Advocate, 26 April 1940, Page 6

“People’s Voice” Publisher Charged With Contempt

[Special to “Northern Advocate'’ 1 AUCKLAND, This Day. Donald McCarthy, printer and publisher of “The People’s Voice,” a weekly newspaper, appeared before Mr Justice Ostler in the Supreme Court today on a motion for committal for contempt of court, in that he caused to be published on March 29 and subsequent dates, in two issues of “The People’s Voice" matters of comment concerning prosecutions against five men, which prosecutions were not tried until April 12. The charge stated that this comment was contempt of the Magistrate's Court, inasmuch as at the time of publication it was calculated to prejudice, obstruct and interfere with the due administration of justice. Offered-Sincere Apology Mr V. R. Meredith and Mr N. I. Smith appeared for the Crown, and Mr J. Hogben for McCarthy. Mr Hogben said McCarthy admitted the offence and offered a sincere apology. Passages in the first issue of the paper were intended to be a campaign for funds. After hearing .counsel, his Honor said he had no doubt that there had been a gross contempt calculated to influence the course of justice. Ordered to Pay Costs Mr Hogben had said that the offence occurred through ignorance of the law and McCarthy had given an apology. There was no proof to the contrary and he did not think it a case, for imprisonment, or indeed for an exemplary fine. Justice could be done by issuing a warning to McCarthy that any further offence of a like kind would bring heavy punishment from the court. McCarthy was ordered to pay costs 10 guineas.