PLOTTERS IN UNION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19070, 18 July 1936, Page 4

PLOTTERS IN UNION

; DISRUPTIVE INFLUENCE f ALLEGATIONS IN COURT (Per'Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Further evidence for the defence was heard yesterday in the case in which Douglas Gibson, a member of the Seamen's Union, is proceeding against Fin- - ton Patrick Walsh and Felix Newficld, l the president and secretary respectively - of both tho Wellington union and the > New Zealand Federated Seamen's Union, ' for £6OO damages for libel. Continuing! evidence, the defendant 1 Walsh said that a section inside the ! union had been carrying on propaganda intended to destroy, not only the Seamen's Union, but the whole of the Trade Union movement and the political Labour Party. His Honour: "What is known as 'white-anting?' " . - The defendant: Yes For. the past eight or nine years, he had not, unfortunately for the Australian organisation, been able to say who were its officials from month to month, continued the. defendant. He first heard in 1933 or 1934 that Gibson was once elected president of the Australian organisation. Mr. Wilson produced a letter addressed to the New Zealand Union from Mr. Jacob Johnson, general secretary of the Australian Seamen's Union, stating that it would serve to introduce Comrade Douglas Gibson, whose straightforwardness during the trials and tribulations of the Australian union had stamped him as one who, even at the point of selfsacrifice, always considered the interests of his fellow-workers. Walsh said that he had not found Gibson a fool. His Honour asked Mr. Wilson if ha wanted that recorded. Mr. Wilson: No. His Honour : I thought you might have wanted it as a testimonial to your client. Ho was still satisfied that Gibson played a part in wrecking the Australian union, continued defendant. Mr. Wilson : And you will repeat the allegation every time it suits you? The defendant: No. Mr. Wilson: And the statement made vestcrday to the court was not so genuine as yon assured the court? The defendant.: Yes it was. lie would not repeat the allegation in future, because he had assured the court that he would not, added the defendant. The hearing was adjourned for the day. It probably will not conclude, before His Honour leaves to sit at Palmerston North and will then he adjourned for six weeks.