ALLEGED SLANDER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1704, 21 March 1906, Page 3

ALLEGED SLANDER.

THE HAT CASE,

By telegraph* Pres» 'Asa’n, Copyri'gb Kecoived 10.40 p.m , March 20. Sydney, Mnroh 20. Mr J. S’. MoAtttaur and Sir Win. McMillan, directors of tho same employer’s firm, examined, positively denied that tho words, " made in England," woro placed in looally manufactured hats, Sir Wm. McMillan admitted that he and Sir Win. Lyoe were political antago nists, but there was nothing of that in this matter. Counsel for defendant askod for a nonsuit on tho ground that tho oooasion of uttering tho alleged slander was privileged. The application was refused. Counsel then stated that the dofenoo was a denial of the words complained of, and that other words wore used. Sir Win. Lyne, in his ovidenoe, statod that he twioa visited Anderson’s hat faotory, aod saw that in the prooess of manufacture there was nothing in tho hats to indicate where they were made. Mr Anderson, director, told him something of the alleged slander that was uttered during a conservation with Pobford, at the time of introduoing the Comrneroe Bill, which Pulsford viciously oppoaod. Bir Wm. Lyno’s version of the conversion was that Pulsford claimed that sufficient indication was given of whore the goods wore made without the Bill, S.r W. Lyne replied: "Evon though the MoArthur Company are the principal purchasers of bats from Anderson, and there is nothing to indioats if they are made in Australia, a purchaser might go aod buy hats I have seen, and believe they were made in ” At this point Pulsford interjected "In England,” and Sir W. Lyne added, “ Yes, or in Germany.” He was distinctly dear that this was what actually ocourred. He denied using the Words attributed to him by Pulsford. He made no imputation, and intended none, against the MoArthnr Company’s honesty. Tho remark was made in a semi-serious fashion. Mr Deakin gave ovidenoe that ho was present at the conversation. Pulsford showed great heat. He heard no suoh statement by defendaal as that imputed by plaintiff;. Mr Piayford, examined, though present at the conversation, had no reoolleotion o/ it.