LEGAL POSITION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23273, 16 February 1939, Page 14

LEGAL POSITION

MR. SAVAGE INQUIRING QUESTION OF PUBLICITY UNION'S DENIAL OF THREAT [by TELEGRAPH —PRESS association] "WELLINGTON, Wednesday "I'm endeavouring to ascertain the legal position," said the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, when his attention was called this evening to the statement by Mr. Frank Goldberg that he had consulted Mr. Savage concerning the reason for developments at certain hotels where he had obtained accommodation.

"Mr. Goldberg came to see mo the other day," said Mr. Savage, "and I told him I did not know the legal position, but that I would find out. I am taking steps to ascertain it now. "Mr. Goldberg also told me he did not want s;ny publicity given tho matter, but tho Press Association message of three-quarters of a column from Christchurch he has in to-night's paper certainly looks to me a little bit like publicity. Mr. Goldberg has got more publicity than Ministers of the Crown get for important statements."

"I have no knowledge whatever of any threat tD boycott any of our wellrun hotels in New Zealand," said Mr. F. P. Walsh, secretary of tho Seamen's Union, when the report of Mr. Goldberg's experience was referred to him.

SECRECY IMPOSSIBLE REASON EXPLAINED ELECTION PAMPHLET AUTHORSHIP DISCLAIMED £BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday Replying to the comment of the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, concerning the boycott by the Hotel Workers' Union, Mr. Goldberg said he did everything that was possible to avoid publicity, but it was impossible to keep the news of the situation out of the newspapers. "In my stay at hotels," he said, "it has been impossible to entertain friends and business associates and I had to explain to them the reason for this. You know Low difficult it was to get me to makß the first statement on the subject.'"

When askud about a pamphlet published during the election campaign last year, entitled "Your future in your hands," which it had been stated that he had taken part in preparing, Mr. Goldberg said: "I had no association with it whatever. I condemned it then and I condemn it now."

Mr. Goldberg said he appreciated the kindness of Mr. Savage in devoting his personal attention to the matter.