LIBEL ACTION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 596, 26 August 1909, Page 5

LIBEL ACTION.

SWINBURNE'S SUIT-WITHDRAWAL OF THE "AGE." (By Telegraph.—Prcsa Aasoolntlon.-CopyrlcliU Melbourne, August 25. In the libel action, Swinburne v. "The Age"—-in iyhich ;; plaintiff claims £5000 damages for statements and comments made" oorioerning certain oontracta that were let by him when State' Minister, for Water Supply in Sir Thds. Bent's Government— the defendants have withdrawn from the case, owing to certain conversations having occurred between a lawyer's clerk and a juryman.

Tho Judge, Mr. Justico Hodges, has decided to go on with the case in the absence of the defendants, holding thatthere ' is nothing to make him diseatisfied .with '.he jury!s 'fitness to try the case. VERDICT FOR £3250 DA.MAGSE. (Roc, August 25, 9.55 p.m.) 'V ; Melbourne, August 25., The jury awarded Mr, .Swinburne £3250 damages in the aotifln for libel against the "Age." '' .■■■; .■ JUDGE'S COMMENTS. • (Rec. August 26, 0.25 a.m.) Melbourne,. August 25. Mr. Justice Hodges, in summing up in the Swinburne case, 1 - said that if public .men of high standing could—whether there was foundation for the attacks or not—be spoken of by* a newspaper as plaintiff had been, public life would become unbearable. Out of it must go everyone who; felt any self-respect; it must bo left to those of no'character and no self-respect. At the same timo it v was equally important that the press should have free scope for criticism.