ACTION FOR LIBEL
NATAL PAPER SUED VERDICT FOR DEFENDANT CAPETOWN, April 25 The first stage of a newspaper "cause celebre" was decided to-day in favour of the newspaper. Some time ago London Truth published severe criticisms of the Schlesinger financial group's system of financial control, which embraces fruit farms, theatres, insurance and other interests. The article was based on a pamphlet published in Pretorin, adversely criticising interlocking finance. The Natal Mercury, in a leading article, urged controllers of the group to make a refutation of the criticisms, whereupon £IOO,OOO damages were claimed. The Mercury pleaded that the declaration disclosed no cause of action, and the Supreme Court found that the Mercury had not published any defamatory statements or intended to adopt the libel. The Schlesinger group was given leave to amend its declaration. In the last session of Parliament the Speaker disallowed references to the subject, as the case was pending. It is understood that an amendment to the company law next session will prohibit i interlocking finance.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19380510.2.76
Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23033, 10 May 1938, Page 11
Word Count
168ACTION FOR LIBEL New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23033, 10 May 1938, Page 11
Using This Item
NZME is the copyright owner for the New Zealand Herald. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons New Zealand BY-NC-SA licence . This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of NZME. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Auckland Libraries and NZME.