THE BIBEL LAW.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1693, 8 March 1913, Page 3

THE BIBEL LAW.

ACTION, AGAINST A NEWSPAPER. DEFENDANT WINS. (By/Telegraph.—Press Association.) New Plymouth, March G. In the Supreme Court to-day James George. Johnston, farmer, of Eraser Road, ilawera, proceeded against Thomas C. List, proprietor of (lie "Taranaki Daily Mews," for .£5Ol damages for alleged libel.. At tho last sittings of the Supreme Court plaintiff unsuccessfully proceeded against the "Taraniiki Herald" for alleged libel contained in the heading and body of a report of a libel case hoard at a previous sitting, in which he figure;!. Thereupon the "Taranaki Daily News" commented editorially on the unsatisfactory slato of the libol laws of the country which permitted- a case of such a trumpery nature to be brought against a newspaper for doing its duty by tho public, arguing that before a writ for libel or slander was issued, the merits of tho pioposed action should bo investigated by a magistrate, and only proceeded with if the magistrate was satisfied that a prima facie case had been established, and that an amount of money sufficient to cover the costs should be deposited with tho Court. Johnston then demanded an apology from the "News" for -reflecting upon his -bona fides, which was refused. He then issued a writ against the "News" for alleged libel. The case caused a great (leal of interest, .and tho jury, after five minutes' retirement, returned a verdict for the defendant, newspaper with costs on tho highest scale. Plaintiff conducted his own case, whilst Mr. SI. Myers, of Wellington, appeared for tho "Taranaki News."