Legislator and Soldier.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 298, 21 December 1904, Page 2

Legislator and Soldier.

the SEDDON-TAYLOR LIBEL action. DEFENDANT'S ADDRESS, (Per Press Association.) mi CHMSTCHURCII, Dec. 20. Jf® s «Jd<yn-Haylor libol action was continued to-day j n . the Supreme ourt whw almost the wholo dav ' by ( tho Want's bv hi, 1 CoU . rt was " r «t occupied tLnf.T ® ruling on the l^oston of pnvilogc. He hold that actual privilege did not extend beyond itself. If the words were uecd l»v a » 1 HOUSO t0 «-thor B ember, Jn tho presence of tho House, and if used in a public manner and honestly |ou a public matter and , not nmlioiousl? «r ™m bad motives, that occasion was "- r 1 - 011 other hand that ,'f was only limited, and wou d be removed by proof that tho words WC ro not uscd jn l)w die _ charge of a public duty. Defendant's address was chtaflv confined to dissection oP the e V M* ence of tho pUuntift and th o htlt jAsts.*.'; that tho main body retired at a dSLSft. WM ' e «"Wte S ii ? . tiw mcn were rjjdine i n all directions, on bofth sides of the spruit, without order, and he was •?,!!™ ''l this hy Hoss ' thc fariti. The plaintiff swore that he never l,«u*i „f Wly hmily lU , he was nover asked to give evidence „t any in.juiry. Tho witness "wore that Colonel Porter told tho plaintiff ho would want •ertmn of plaintiff's men (o (five evidence Plaintiff had sworn that hov walked up the other side of the ' XT' " M .."' huUlo .V sworn that | ■ up it. The Jury Co "ild not refuse to give duo wight to liis suggestion that the plain tif, was J for whiW % respansiWliovonts of this par- « a ;\ |,r9Ved him t0 b(! ""'lt- ' J™ this prevented other offlcers from doing their duty to their r£a ™ to others in Bouth Afla. Iho defendant further askod m'Lu 0 i ° VO , thQt circumstances might havo arisen, and actually nrl ». th.it rendered tho "drvofihis o Hicer legitimate.' All of defendant ,s witnesses camo unwillingly. Plaintiff's witnesses camo because they were „n that day under an impeachment for their conduct on the Held, though not so much so us their officers, and thev came to court with a deliberate nurpo.se , but would they disbelieve a witness lil* Dr. Qabites, a con-con,-tlm? n th ~1 I ' O ," ,f Uw J U|, V found 11,1 defendant used thc most exrenie woixls, if he brought ovidenco to pi ove that plaintiff had not teen true to Iws trust, th™ the defendant should get n verd'et. There could he no imputation of malice by the defendanl to plaintiff, with whom defendant Ivnd not come into contact except as a poliliml nan criticising coitain administration, and defendant had no right to suffer because of anj sentimental feeling the jurv jiught have for a young follow starting in life. Ho appealed to tho jurv not to gido a vcrdiot for plaintiff in order to cover his conduct because of his youth. Tho jury must assume that the plaintiff wns absolutely competent. The court horo adjourned till tha following <lay.