COAL DISPUTE SEQUEL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20481, 5 February 1930, Page 12

COAL DISPUTE SEQUEL.

DAMAGES FOR SECRETARY. REFLECTIONS ON INTEGRITY. fnv TEL.EGR.vrH. —CHESS ASSOCIATION'.] ORF.YMOUTH. Tuesday. Judgment in plaintiff's favour was given by Mr. AV. Moldruin, S.M., to-day on a claim for £6O damages for libel made by William Balderstono, former secretary of tho Blackball Miners' Union and of tho West Coast Miners' Council, against A. F. Marshall., of Wellington, printer, publisher and proprietor of tho Red Worker newspaper, n Communist Party journal, published at Wellington. Tho statement of claim inter alia set out that defendant, published the following words concerning tho plaintiff:—"At the negotiations for a new agreement for tho West. Coast miners tho owners pressed their attack still further. Although pledged to demand a wages increase the leaders, led by Balderstono, sold out to tho owners. Not only did they lorget the demanded increase, but agreed to the inclusion of the infamous clause 21. Encouraged by their successes the owners then attacked the militants at Blackball, using Balderstone as a foil. Half the men employed woro sacked, and speeding up has taken place. All this, with one or two disputes in tho North Island, has led to tho Shag Point lockout." The magistrate said: "My own opinion is that tho words aro capable of only one interpretation. They suggest there hud ; been a breach of trust and a dishonourable act had been dono and representatives of the mo" liacl betrayed their trust for some benefit, not necessarily an immediate one. I certainly think tho words are libellous and plaintiff is entitled to damages," Plaintiff claimed £6O. Such sum was named as a reasonable amount to cover, only the expense plaintiff would bo put to and the magistrate considered it a modest claim. Plaintiff was entitled to tho full amount claimed with solicitors feo £4 3s, witness' expenses 19s 9d and Court costs £2 13s. Judgment was entored accordingly.