ALLEGED SLANDER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14837, 14 February 1919, Page 6

ALLEGED SLANDER.

GRJERSON v. THACKER.

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day. The Grierson v. Thacker slander case was resumed in the Supreme Court today. Further evidence was called to prove the publication of the alleged slander at an electidii meeting in the Town Hall. ' ■'■'■

Garnet G. Royne said" that Dr. Thacker described how Madame Boeufve had searched Grierson's boxes and found evidence that he was a German spy. Dr. Thacker ended by saying that Grierson had gone over to the enemy. Several other witnesses gave corroborative evidence.

In the case for the defence, Sir John Findlay said ithat the jury would come to the conclusion that whatever was said ty Dr. Thacker was not regarded seriously, by the meeting. Dr. Thacker did not know Grierson, and Lad never met- him. Therefore there could 1 be no question of malice. As a member of Parliament, Dr. Thacker thought it his duty to cany on a campaign to check the drift into our forces of persons of German descent. The two charges that it was said Grierson was an arrant German spy, and that he went over to the enemy, were naturally contradictory statements which no speaker would make in his senses. He (Sir John Findlay) would call evidence to prove that the reference to going over to the enemy was made to Nimot, who did go over to the enemy. Was it likely Dr. Thacker would make such a reference to Grierson when it had been, officially published in the papers that the latter was in hospital? The shorthand note taken was a careless one. Sir John Findlay referred' to the reference to the Grierson enquiry report, and said that Grierson himself was to blame for the widespread distrust in him, and if some audience took the references as being to Grierson, no one was sorrier than Dr. Thacker. Counsel characterised as extremely unfair the manner in which, the action was brought. Dr. Thacker, in evidence, said that the reference to going over to the enemy referred to Nimot, not Grierson. \ The only explanation he could give of beincj misunderstood was that he was speaking amid interruptions. He had; mentioned Grierson as being at the front, and that further rumors about him were coming in soldiers' letters. Cross-examined. Dr. Thadcer said he had read reports of the Grierson inquiry. He looked' upon these commissions as -whitewashingf. He knew Grierson had been acquitted of being a man of enemy orijrin. It was not witness' ibiect tty lead an audience of 3000 to believe Grierson was an alien Hun, but to urge that no man should be allowed to gio to the front who was not above suspicion. He thousht the reference to Grierson quite legitimate.