DRIED FRUITS CASE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 277, 23 November 1936, Page 7

DRIED FRUITS CASE

CLAIM FOR DAMAGES Received Nov. 22, 5.5 p.m. MELBOURNE, Nov. 21. Frederick Alexander James, of Adelaide, has taken out a High Court writ against the Commonwealth of Australia, claiming unspecified damages for alleged wrongful conversion and seizure of his dried fruits. He alleges that the Commonwealth, by its seizures, has prevented him carrying on his lawful business. Mr. James brought a case before the High Court of Australia last year, basing the action on the seizure of dried fruits shipments by the Commonwealth because he had not taken out a licence under the Dried Fruits Act and on the refusal of shipping companies and railways to carry his produce. At that time he claimed £l2O 12s Id damages. He placed reliance on section 92 of the Commonwealth Constitution, which provides for freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse between the States, and though the High Court ruled against him it was stated by some of th? Judges that, they gave their decision in this way because of a previous judgment of the Court against James in a case in 1928. The Privy Council, Ito which James has since taken his case, found in his favour. Mr. James returned to Australia from London at the end of September to begin the I action for damages.