THE COAL VEND CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3201, 24 April 1911, Page 5

THE COAL VEND CASE.

THE ACTING-PREMIER’S SPEECH.

“ MUST ALLUDE TO THIS MONOPOLY.”

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.] (Received April 23, 5.5p.m.) MELBOURNE, April 22.

Mr Hughes, Federal Acting-Premier, says that the fact of the Vend’s existence and operations cannot be suppressed merely because there happens to be a prosecution. He is unaware that he said anything of which evidence had not already been given before the Court. He will abstain from saying .anything which the Court may regard l as unfair to defendants. As conductor of the referenda campaign he must allude to this monopoly, and give, as instance of its operations, but of which there is adready evidence before the Court. (Mr Hughes, in a speech at Adelaide, made an attack on the Coal Vend, withstanding the fact that the VendHs being prosecuted and the case isnow 1 before the Court. Counsel fclr the Vend drew attention to the speech in Court, and the judge, Justice Isaacs, refused to express an opinion, firstly, because Mr Hughes was not present, and, secondly because 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 be made upon notice, so that full and fair opportunity might be given to hear what might be urged in defence.)