THE "AGE" LIBEL ACTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 174, 26 August 1909, Page 2

THE "AGE" LIBEL ACTION.

ALLEUED IXTIiHFEHEXCL; WITH JURYMEN. By Cable.—Press Association.—Oopyrigbl Melbourne, August 25. In the libel action the Hon.. George Swinburne, a member of the Assembly, versus the Melbourne Age newspaper, Hie defendants have withdrawn from the ease owing to certain conversations having occurred between a lawyer's clerk and the jurymen. Tile judge' decided to go on with the ease in /the absence of defendants, holding there was nothing to make him dissatisfied with the jury's, litness to try the case. HEAVY DAMAGES AWARDED. ifll* Ueceived August 25, 7 p.m. Melbourne, August 25.. Tin' jury awarded Mr. Swlnbtiniß C:12.T0 dinnages in tile action for libel against the Age. Received 20, 12.30 a.m. Melbourne, August 23. Mr. Justice Hodges, summing up In the Swinburne ease, said if pablic meu of high standing eould, whether tbere was foundation for attacks or not, be, spoken of by a newspaper us plaintiff hud been, public life would become unbearable anil out must go everyone who felt any self-respect. It must be 'eft to those of no character and no self-re-spect. At the same t*iie, it was equally important that the Press should havo free ncope for criticism.