M'LEAN AND OTHERS V. "THE DOMINION."

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 476, 7 April 1909, Page 6

M'LEAN AND OTHERS V. "THE DOMINION."

On October 23, 1908, under the heading'of "The Otira Tunnel—Conditions of Labour—A Strong Protest," we published a report of a mooting of the Miners' Federation held at Wellington, during which complaints were made relating to the conditions of the housing of the workmen, and the terms on which the workmen engaged in the construction of the tunnel wero employed. In consequence of the publication of this report, the contractors, Messrs. Murdoch and. Neil M'Lean, commenced an action against this newspaper in the Supreme Court, claiming damages upon the ground that the statements so made at such meeting were without foundation in fact. We published the report of the meeting in the ordinary course of our journalistic work, just as wo havo published reports of what has taken place at many similar meetings. Since the commencement of the action, however, the contractors have afforded us a full opportunity of investigating the allegations and charges made at the meeting of the Miners' Federation concerning the conditions of labour at the Otira Tunnel, and our investigations havo shown that everything possible under the circumstances was done for the comfort and well-being of the workers, and that the charges made cannot be justified. Experts were sent by the Government to inquire as to the existence in the tunnel of poisonous fumes and impure water. The results of these inquiries, which have been previously published in our columns, show that the tunnel is free from injurious- gases, and Professor Bickerton, of Christchurch, stated in his report, already published, that the. water was not only pure, but exceptionally, pure. The contractors have throughout recognised that the report was published by us in the ordinary course of journalism and in good faith, and they have agreed to withdraw the action upon payment by us of their costs.' We' have accepted these terms, and have now only to oxpress our regret that the allegations and charges ; against tho contractors should have been given publicity to in our columns.