SUPREME COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 303, 18 December 1908, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

i UXFAIII LIBEL LAWS. < By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Thursday. The action of McLean and Sons (contractors for the Otira tunnel) v. tho Xew Zealand Times, a claim for £2OOO for alleged libel, was before the Supremo Court to-day. Argument look place ona;i application to strike out the clause for the defence claiming that the publication of the report of the meeting at which the alleged libel was uttered was a fair and accurate report of tile proceedings of tire Miners' Federation. Dr. Findjay, for defendants, admitted that' ill Xew Zealand the defence of a f'.: r ' and accurate report of the proce<"jj n(w of a public meeting was not a defendant in an action foi Mr Justice Cooper rcniarn 0(l tha ' t COII . side.able agitation had kon placfi for iva amendment of the j aw Dr. Findlay said P'ncensUnd and Victorn had adoptcij ftn ct j„ k ee pi nf? with the l',nglislj Statute, and it setmil i" !'' t |lat 'ne press in Xew Zealand .should lie debarred from availing itself "! !, • which was open to the priss of Kiigla' Queensland mid Victoria. t Ton or said that was outside the produce of the Court. eventually the ease was ndjourned to enable an ainendrd statement of defence to b? filed.