"PROPAGANDA"

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11654, 19 October 1923, Page 6

"PROPAGANDA"

CLERGYMAN’S LAWSUIT JUDGE REBI'KES WAKEFORD FOR OFFENSIVE TACTICS. VERDICT EUR DEFENDANT. By Telegraph —Press Assn.—Copyright Australian aud NZ. Cable Association. (.Received October 13, 5.5 p.m.)_ LONDON,'October 1/. The jury, in finding for the defendant in ex-Archdeacou Yv aketord s claim for damages for alleged slander, added a rider unanimously stating that their opinion was that the ease should not have boon brought to court. Wakeford. in evidence, denied that ho ever committed misconduct. . Any statement to the contrary was calculated to ruin him. He had done everything possible to place tho (acts of his conviction before tbe public. He had acted fur cinematograph scenes connected with the charge made against him, and he had lectured in picturehouses. He declared that tho Privy Council judgment in lr.s case was a compromise. If lie was guilty of misconduct ho ought to have been unfrocked. “NO LENIENCY!” Counsel for the defence : We are not concerned with the leniency of the sentence. Wakeford (emotionally): There is no leniency in holding up a man at every turn and making him the victim ot men like your client! The public in the court applauded this utterance, whereupon the judge threatened to clear the court. The Rev. Mr Neatley and Dr Tyler gave evidence in support of plaintiff’s allegations. Wright, the defendant, denied having used the words complained of. He admitted having suggested that, on the evidence, Wakeford was guilty, but no more. Mr Justice Darling, summing up, said the action appeared to be part of Wakeford’s propaganda. His acting for films was very offensive. What was the jury being asked to do —accept a bit of film-acting? ‘T KNOW HE IS GUILTY"!” Wakeford claimed damages from a law clerk named Wright, alleging that, referring to the proceedings of the Consistory Court, he said: “I know John Wakeford is guilty. I have myself traced him to various hotels with women,” On another occasion he alleged that Wright said: “Wakeford is a very nice fellow, if he would only keep the Seventh Commandment.”