ACTION FOR LIBEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23275, 18 February 1939, Page 14

ACTION FOR LIBEL

LABOUR LEADER'S MOVE SEQUEL TO HOTEL INCIDENT [BT TELEGRAPH —ritESS ASSOCIATION] IXVERCARGILL. Friday An action for libel against certain newspapers is being taken by Mr. F. P. Walsh, national president of the Federated Seamen's Union of New Zealand. Mr. Walsh stated to-day that the words he considered libellous appeared in a Press Association message from Christchurch about the boycott at two hotels there of Mr. Frank Goldberg. of Sydney, governing director of the Goldberg Advertising Agency. He declined to say which words in the message he considered libellous. "I was very surprised when I read ii\ the Southland Times of February 16 the report about mvself and the incident of Mr. Goldberg being asked to vacate the United Service Hotel bv the licensee, Mr. E. Boulton." said Mr. Walsh in an interview to-dav. "I have alre-idy consulted mv solicitor and he has informed me that the papers which published the statement libelled mo and I have directed him to take action with the object of getting redress and clearing my name." Referring to a leading article on the Goldberg case which was printed in the Southland Times to-day Mr. Walsh said: "I think it is quite unfair to write a leading article condemning representatives of the trades union movement on an ex parte statement which lily solicitor states is definitely libellous in so far as it is unfounded and untrue."