NEWSPAPER CONFIDENCES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 162, 9 July 1907, Page 6

NEWSPAPER CONFIDENCES.

IMPORTANT RULING.

CBy Telegrapn.—rress Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day.' In the Supreme Court to-day Jfc, Justice Cooper gave an important ruhW affecting the Press and libel actionsTjOa Friday an application was made in the case of Florence Isaßella Hall v. thY "New Zealand Times" Company, a, daie for £2000 damages, for alleged libeL Counsel for the plaintiff moved for leave to put the following interrogatory: 'IK3 the defendants before publishing the 'New Zealand Time 3 ;' on February 12, 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 reapect thereto ? From whom did the defendants obtain the information upon which they relied in publishing the statement com-! plained of?"

■In giving a lengthy judgment to-dsy, his Honor said that in the present case the publication of the alleged libel haying 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 interrogations pro. posed. If privilege or circumstances, tantamount to and defence of privQega had been pleaded, then unless speciil circumstances were shown defendant could not have been compelled to dis»: close by interrogatory the name b£,-ite: informant. The summons was thfirer fore dismissed.