THE VON ZEDLITZ CASE.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16853, 5 June 1920, Page 9

THE VON ZEDLITZ CASE.

CLAIM FOE ALLEGED LIBEL. (PRESS ASSOCIATION' TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, June 4. The hearing of the claim for £1000 damages, for alleged libel, by George von Zedlitz, Professor of Languages at Victoria University College, against the "New Zealand' Times," was commcncod before his Honour Mr Justice Edwards (and a jury of 12 to-day. • The alleged libel was the publication, on July 29th, 1919, of a letter containing the words:— "In 1914 the German alien enemy on the Victoria College staff was arrested for a breach of the War Regulations, and was released by one of our Ministers, as a German alien onomy prisoner, on parole, and, although such, was reinstated by the Victoria College Council, which declined a proffered resignation." The following words were also claimed to be libellous:— "The munificent compensation for an alien enemy declared to bo a prisoner of war for a punishable offence against the Realm by the Victoria College Council, at the public expense, contrasts strangely with the conditions under ■which our soldiers are treated after years of service, hard fighting, and suffering, on their discharge." it was stated that the plaintiff asked for nn apology, but the defendant declined.

Tho statement of defonee denied the cbicf allegations mado in the statement of claim.