The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, April 10th, 1913.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1084, 10 April 1913, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, April 10th, 1913.

At Palmerston, yesterday, Mr F. Piraui, President ot the Manawatu Master Printers’ Association, waited on the Premier and brought under his notice certain matters of vital importance to newspaper proprietors. Mr Pirani asked that the law in regard to debts incurred by candidates for Parliament, particularly tor advertising, should not he allowed to protect dishonest candidates who repudiated just debts. As the law at present stands, debts against liamentary candidates, if not paid within three mouths alter an election, are not legally recoverable, neither can they be legally paid by the candidate who desires to do so without first obtaining the consent of a magistrate, and then it is optional w’hether the candidate pays or not. We speak from experience on this subject, and the Act should be so amended as to put a Parliamentary candidate on the same footing as any other common debtor. Another matter mentioned by Mr Pirani was that in amending the libel law provision should be inserted compelling those who take actions for libel to find security for costs. He referred to men of straw being put up by individuals tor libel which there was no intention of bringing to a conclusion, the motive probably being to harass a newspaper for political reasons. Mr Massey replied that in regard to candidates’ expenses, he was considering an amendment of the law,,and the point would be remembered. There would be an amendment of the Act, and the question of finding security of costs would also be dealt with. us hope so.