MR NASH DEFAMED.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18510, 6 March 1930, Page 9

MR NASH DEFAMED.

NEWSPAPERS APOLOGY ACCEPTED. ECHO OF HUTT ELECTION. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 5. An echo of the Hutt bve-election was heard in the Lower Hutt Magistrate’s Court this morning, when, after two adjournments the case of Walter Nash versus Walter H. Smith was settled. The charge against defendant, who is publisher of the “Hutt News,” was that, between the issue of writ in the Hutt bye-election and the close of the poll, he published an untrue statement, defamatory to Walter Nash, and calculated to influence the votes of electors. Since these proceedings were issued," said Mr W. P. Rollings, for plaintiff, “defendant has expressed to Mr Nash his regret at having published a statement which misrepresents Mr Nash's political views to such an extent as do the words complained of, and although my client feels keenly that to accuse him of a desire to establish a Soviet like form of Government in New Zealand is untrue and unfair, he has no wish to be vindictive and is prepared to accept defendant’s apology. I therefore ask leave to withdraw the information. The question of costs has been arranged between the parties.” To this Mr C. R. Barrett, who appeared for defendant, assented. His client, he said, had no wish to identify Mr Nash with the present aims and objects of the Soviet in any way.” “That’s much the better way of settling a case like this. I congratulate you, gentlemen,” said the Magistrate (Mr W. H. Woodward).