THE LAW OF LIBEL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2128, 10 July 1907, Page 1

THE LAW OF LIBEL.

AN IMPORTANT CASE. Press Association. •WELLINGTON, Yesterday. In the Supreme Court to-day Mr. Justice Cooper gave an important ruling aifectmg the press and libel actions. On Friday on application made in the case of Florence Isabella Hall v. the New Zealand Times Cov claim for £2OOO damages for allegeS libel. Counsel for plaintiff moved for leave to put the following interrogatories: Hid defendants before publishing the New Zealand Times of February 12, 1907, take any and lyhat precautions to make inquiries as to the truth of the statement complained of in this case, or ma'ke any inquiries at all with respect thereto? From whom did defendant obtain the information upon whicl) they relied in publishing the statement complained of? In giving a lengthy judgment to-day his Honor said in the present case the publication of the alleged libel having been admitted and no defence of privilege or of circumstances tantamount to privilege having been pleaded, plaintiff ought not to be permitted to administer any of_ the interrogatories proposed. If privilege or circumstances tantamount to and defence of privilege had been pleaded, then unless special circumstances were shown defendant could not have been compelled to disclose by interrogatory the name of its informants. The summons was therefore dismissed.