CRIMINAL LIBEL

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1931, Page 5

CRIMINAL LIBEL

CHARGE AGAINST UNEMPLOYED, (By Telegraph—-Per Press Association ) 'AUCKLAND, December 22, - Magistrate Hunt ■ to-day granted the application by the Crown Prosecutor for leave to prosecute George Budd and Ernest Frederick Thompson, for an alleged defamation libel. Counsel said that the matter arose out of a demonstration of the unemployed in Parliafcnent grounds, Wellington, on September 16th. In the subsequent Court proceedings, Inspector Lander stated that he was without batons or handcuffs. Later at a meeting in a theatre in Auckland, leaflets wore distributed by Thompson bearing Budd’s imprint. The pamphlets were headed “Ware,” and asserted that Latjder had prejudiced himself and referred to him as a perjurer, liar and attacker of defenceless men, women and children. Counsel for accused opposed the application, and said that both men were now serving sentences of three months. If the application was granted they would, after release, have to appear at the Supreme Court in February. He also criticised the procedure of applying under the Crimes Act, under which the penalty was one or two years in gaol instead o under the libel law, with a penalty of £IOO or three months’ imprisonment. The pamphlet, he added, had a limited circulation. ' _ The Magistrate said that in his opinion, it was a proper application.