THE LAW OF LIBEL

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8859, 9 July 1907, Page 2

THE LAW OF LIBEL

Press Atsociation.

Wellington, July 9.

" In the Supreme Court to-day Mr Justice Cooper gave an important ruling affecting the press and libel actions. On Friday an application was made in the case of Florence Isabella Hall v. the New Zealand Times 00., claim of £2OOO damages for alleged libel. Counsel for plaintiff moved for leave to put the following interrogatories:—“Did defendants, before publishing the New Zealand Times of February 12th, 1907, take any, and what, precautions to make inquiries as to the truth of the statement complained of in this case, or make any inquiries at all with respect thereto? From whom did tho defendants obtain the information upon which they relied in publishing the statement complained of?” In giving a lengthy judgment today his Honour said that in tho present case 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 in defence of privilege, had been .pleaded, then,- unless special circumstatuoos were shown, defendant could not have boon compelled to disclose by interrogatory tho name of ;its informant. Tho summons was therefore dismissed.