ALLEGED LIBEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22475, 20 July 1936, Page 12

ALLEGED LIBEL

CLAIM BY SEAMAN UNION OFFICIAL'S EVIDENCE "INSTRUCTIONS FROM OUTSIDE" [BY TELEGIIAPII —I'UESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Saturday The hearing of the claim of Douglas Gibson, a member of the Seamen's Union, for £6OO as damages for alleged libel brought against Fint.au Patrick Walsh and Felix Newfield, officials of the union, was continued to-day before Mr. Justice Blair. Mr. L. K. Wilson appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. E. P. Hay for defendants. Defendant Walsh, cross-examined by Mr. Wilson, said that Gibson endeavoured to undermine tho constitutional methods of running the union organisation and to turn it into a rabble. Gibson also did that during the Greymouth strike. Gibson took part in putting iq) a candidate against witness for the presidency of the union. He knew Gibson and those associated with him were getting their instructions from an outside political body, and that body was getting its instructions from a foreign country. " Vote Against Communist Party " Mr. Wilson: Did you know that Gibson voted against the Communist Party 011 more than ono occasion in the Trades Hall? Witness: I knew that ho argued certain matters with them. Mr. Wilson: Are you willing to withdraw the charge that plaintiff had "nefarious ways of earning a livelihood" ? Witness: I never made the charge. I only reported it in my official capacity. His Honor: Counsel means, do you support that statement? Witness: No, I do not. Mr. Wilson: Are you willing to withdraw the charge that plaintiff was a party to wrecking the Australian union ? Witness; I have already said plaintiff on his own evidence admitted that he was the chief executive officer of the Seamen's Union in Australia before ho left for New Zealand. It has also been said against Gibson on his own statement, that ho was a party to handing out 100 union books for the purpose of removing an elected official from office in the Australian union. In view of those statements 1 was not satisfied with plaintiff's conduct as an officer of the Australian Seamen's Union. Mr. Wilson: Are you willing to withdraw the accusation? Witness: Provided plaintiff can produce evidence to show that ho was not a party to illegally handing out union books to non-members for tho purpose of removing an elected officer. " Leader in Faction • Fighting ' " His Honor: Plaintiff was elected president of the Australian union, but did not act. You say that is significant. What do you mean by that? Witness: At the time tho union was in a turmoil, and Gibson took a leading part in the faction fighting that was going on in the union. Gibson became president, and J submit that it was his duty under the circumstances to have remained in his position. That was desertion of tho union on his part. Thomas Frank Benson, seaman, said ho was a member of a committee of five which was set up in May, 1933, to consider a proposal to amend the constitution of the union. Witness was secretary and Gibson was chairman. Witness was approached by several members of the union, who suggested that the committee should urge members after a subsequent meeting to expel the officials. Gibson, supported by others, made the suggestion. Witness said he was noncommittal. Mr. Hay: Were the members of that committee subjected to victimisation by the union? Witness: Tho suggestion is absolute rubbish. Mr. Hay: What was "Gibson's attitude to the officials of the union? Witness: Absolutely hostile. The hearing was adjourned.