LIBEL ACTION THREATENED

Taranaki Daily News, 12 July 1933, Page 7

LIBEL ACTION THREATENED

BOBBY - PEARCE’S STATUS EMPLOYER SEEKS APOLOGY ALLEGATION OF OFFENCE: CANADIAN OARSMEN'S, MOVE By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 10 p.m. Hamilton (Ont.), July 11. Mr. H. B. Cleland has threatened legal action unless an apology is forthcoming from Mr. James Owen, president of the Canadian Association of Amateur Oarsmen, for a statement in a resolution of the association’s executive at Ottawa regarding the amateur status of Bobby Pearce (Australia) and for stating there had been a lack of frankness, on the part of Mr. Cleland and Mr. Walter Abernesser in statements to members of the executive. • Mr. Cleland in his letter said: “The statements in the resolution insofar as they refer to me are entirely without foundation, exceedingly offensive, and, I am advised, libellous. So far as I am aware I have had no communication with nor made any statement to any members of your executive regarding Mr.'Pearce in any shape or form, nor have I any authority to make any statements on his behalf. “Your unwarranted resolution is injurious to my reputation,: inferring that for personal or selfish reasons I would be a party to unworthy practices in relation to amateur sport. I must accordingly demand immediate retraction of this resolution and an unqualified apology from your executive; otherwise the matter wil’ be placed in the hands of my solicitor. ' “Mr. Pearce has been employed by my company on the recommendation and suggestion, of the British firm he formerly represented in Australia and for no other reason. lat no time have been a party to exploitation of Mr. Pearce and do not know of any such exploitation. “ ' ' " ! ‘Whether he decides to turn professional Will not affect his employment so long as he contihues to .perform his duties in the same satisfactory manner ' as in the past. On the only occasion he asked my advice I made it clear to him, as a friend and not as an employer, to remain in the amateur ranks.” According to the cabled version of the resolution on Saturday, Bobby Pearce, Australian Olympic sculls champion, had to declare his intentions about a ' professional career before his entry would be accepted for the Canadian Henley. Pearce was barred from the Toronto July 1. regatta because, it was believed he had entered into negotiations to turn professional . at the Canadian National Exhibition. : :