PREMIER AND LIBEL ACTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 March 1920, Page 5

PREMIER AND LIBEL ACTION.

SPEECHES BY MR. W. M. SUGHEi AN ECHO IN COURT. By Telegraph.— Press Assn.—Copyright, Received March 11, 250 p.m. London, March 9, The Merton case came before ,the Lord Chief Justice. Mr, Hogg, on behalf of Messrs Merton, said the directors of the Company thought that Mr. W. M. Hughes' speeches reflected on their personal characters, but the Court would learn from Mr. Hughes' counsel, that while the defendant made various allegations against their international organisation, he made none against any directors or officers of the company. Tn these circumstances the liquidator felt that no good object would be served by| continuing the action.

The parties agreed, subject to the Court's approval, to stop the action.— Aus.-N.Zv Cable Assn.

This case arose out of certain statements made by Mr. Hughes during his last visit to England. On that occasion the Press was conducting a determined campaign to remove enemff influence from certain firms operating in Britain, and this subject formed the keynote of most of Mr. Hughes' public speeches. Mortons was one of the firms he attacked, and t)"- "vc'sent action arose through Mertons alleging that Mr. Hughes had suggested that their operations bore an enemy taint.