A LIBEL ACTION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIV, Issue 14705, 4 June 1920, Page 3

A LIBEL ACTION.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Jul-* 4. The hearing of a claim for £IOOO damages for alleged libel by George von Zeidlitz, Professor of Languages, against the New Zealand Times, was commenced before Sir Bassett Edwards and a iury of twelve to-dav. The alleged libel was the publication on. July 29th. 1919, of a letter containing the words: '.'ln 1914 the German alien on t he Victoria College staff was arrested for breach of the . War .Regulations, and was released by one of sur Ministers as a German alien , enemy prisoner on • parole,- and, although as such,-was reinstated by the Council, which declined, a prof erred resignation.'and also the. following ■ words : —"The munificent compensation for an alien enemy, declared , t<j be a- prisoner of war for a punishable offence : against the realnf. by the Victoria College Council at. the. public' expense. contrasts strangely with? the conditions under w;hic.ii our soldiers are treated, after years of service and hard fighting and suffering, on their discharge." ]