CLAIM FOR £5000 FOR ALLEGED LIBEL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2959, 7 November 1925, Page 3

CLAIM FOR £SOOO FOR ALLEGED LIBEL.

Auckland, November 5. An action for alleged libel, with damages assessed at £SOOO has been commenced in the Supreme Court before Mr. Justice Ilerdman and a jury of twelve. John Ingatius Fox, organiser of the New Zealand Dairy Farmers’ Union, is the plaintiff and William Goodfellow, managing director of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, is the defendant.

The statement of claim alleges that on July 2, 1925, at Hamilton, defendant falsely and maliciously spoke and'published to J. G. W*ynard, of Te Awamutu, a farmers’ agent, of plaintiff, the following words: “If Fox had his rights, he would have been shot twice as a spy.”

On July 14, 1925, it was alleged that defendant maliciously published the following: “Fox was twice reported as a spy.” Further allegations were that defendant had stated: “William Ranstead reported Fox to the authorities as a probable . spy. A very clumsy policeman was put on to shadow Fox, who suddenly became very careful and did not give himself away. William R. next met Fox at Gallipoli, where Fox was engaged as a cook at head-quarters. This was a position where he could get a lot of useful information. Wm. R. reported him again tvith. the result that he was shipped back to New Zealand.” . The defence pleaded privilege. Mr. Seymour, for the plaintiff, had hardly commenced his opening when Sir John Findlay asked for an adjournment as there was a chance of a settlement. This was agreed to, but no settlement was resumed. Mr. Seymour for plaintiff, said Fox was induced‘to go to the Waikato to organise for the Waikato Dairy Farmers’ Union, which was a separate and distinct organisation from the New Zealand Co-op. Dairy Co., of which Goodfellow was the managing director. Mr. Seymour said there was, in fact, a war on between the Dairy Company and the Union. “We say that Goodfellow, deeming that Fox was there to injure him, deliberately set out to blackmail Fox out of the Waikato. I say it to Goodfellow’s face that libel slander and blackmail are usual weapons of his. He has been at the same thing before.” Sir John Findlay here interposed with an objection. Evidence was given in support of the statement of claim and the case was adjourned until to-mor-row. The case was continued yesterday. ' After the hearing of lengthy evidence the jury returned a verdict for £IOOO damages. Judgment was reserved, pending argument on nonsuit points.