SEQUEL TO CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19762, 8 October 1927, Page 11

SEQUEL TO CAMPAIGN.

ALLEGED CRIMINAL LIBEL. ACTION AGAINST NEWSPAPER. MOVE BY THE GOVERNMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received October 8, 12.30 a.m.) A. and N.Z. SYDNEY, Oct. 7. One of the most bitter election campaigns in the history of the State culminated sensationally this evening. The Attorney-General has filed a criminal information against John Fairfax and Sons, H. Dadswell and F. Neutlack, employees of John Fairfax and Sons, for alleged criminal libel in respect of reflections against the Industrial Commissioner, Mr. A. B, Piddington, and the Industrial Commission, contained in an article in the Sydney Morning Herald on August 4 last. A writ was also issued, claiming £IO,OOO damages oji behalf of Mr. Gosling, the Chief Secretary, against the Sydney Morning Herald. The alleged libel contained statements regarding the vital vote on the bill for the abolition of the Legislative Council. This is apparently the last of a long list ot legal proceedings which have arisen out of the election campaign, during which writs claiming £123,000 for alleged libel have been issued. Public interest is growing as the hour of the poll draws nearer, and to supply the demand nearly all the newspapers in the city have arranged to announce the results, as they are received, by wireless loud-speakers. The House as it was constituted before the election consisted of 46 Labour members, 34 Nationalists, nine Country Party members and one Independent. To make good the boast of the leader of the National Party Mr. T. R. Bavin, that he would win 50 seats, he has only to have a gain, in conjunction with the Country Party, of five seats. There is every indication that he will do so. The Premier, Mr. Lang, on the other hand says the Labour Party has improved its position on the last elections, but the concensus of opinion is that Mr. Bavin will secure a majority and will form the next Government.