THE COAL VEND CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3200, 22 April 1911, Page 7

THE COAL VEND CASE.

SPEECH BY FEDERAL ACTINGPREMIER. APPLICATION FOR ORDER OF CONTEMPT OF COURT. [UNITED FREBS ASSOCIATION-COPYRIGHT.] (Received April 21, 11.35 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 21. Mr Hughes, Federal Acting-Premier, speaking on the referenda at Adelaide, is reported to have said that the coal vend was being prosecuted not before it was time, because it had been exploiting the people. It bad special affection. for South Australia. When South Australia proposed to have its own mine it seemed in the eyes of the vend that the proposal emanated from Satan. The Vend had stopped it, and was now supplying coal with the old profits and in the old way. He believed that the day of competition had gone, and that the day of co-operation was here. He reiterated the statement that combines and trusts • were financing the opposition to the refer-: enda. Counsel for defendants in the Vend case drew Justice Isaacs’ attention to the report of this speech, and made application to call on the AttorneyGeneral to show whether he had made the statement which, lie contended, was a contempt of Court, the case being sub judice. Counsel sought an ex parte interim injunction restraining Mr. Hughes from making similar statements or any comment until the proceedings had terminated.

Justice Isaacs refused to express an opinion, because, firstly. Mr. Hughes was not present, and, secondly, great and important issues of a political nature were connected with the observation. He would, therefore, do nothing to prejudice other issues elsewhere. He would say that he would require appearance to lie made upon notice, so that full and fair opportunity might- he given to hear what might be urged indefence. To-day’s evidence was formal.