LAW OF LIBEL.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 384, 13 July 1889, Page 5

LAW OF LIBEL.

When the Law of Libel Bill is committed on Thin-sday the Hon. Mr Shepherd is to vote the following new clause, which is taking up a most determined position for newspapeis. Where any person makes a speech at a meeting and a report containing libellous words purporting to be report of such speech is published in any newspaper than on proof, that the words so published or words of like import were uttered by the person making the speech, that; person shall in the event of civil proceedings being instituted against him for libel in respect of such words be deemed for the purpose of such proceedings to have himself written and published the libellous words attributed to him in such report ; or the words of suci> reporb*so published shall bs prima Jacie evidence of the libel attributed to the speaker having been spoken, but it shall be competent to him to prove any inaccuracy in the report or any matter explaining the words attributed to him. Such proceedings taken shall be in substitution for and not in addition to any proceedings whether civil or criminal that may be instituted against him, provided also fhat no proceedings under this section shall be taken more than two monthsafter the words were uttered. Provided also that the speaker shall be entitled to any defence of privilege arising from the occasion on which the words were spoken which he would have had in case the spoken words had been of themselves actionable.