TWO-EDGED SWORD.
Defamatory Statement to be a' Criminal Offence. LABOUR BILL IN N.S.W. SYDNEY, May 6. In introducing the Law Reform Bill in the Legislative Assembly Mr. A. A. Lysaght, the Attorney-General, said that under the bill barristers would be free to discard their wigs and gowns. Another provision would make a defamatory statement in the Press or on the platform a criminal offence. "I intend to protect every public man from blackguardly and slanderous statements in the and upon the platform," said Mr. Lysaght. Mr. T. R. Bavin, Leader of the Opposition, said this provision would be like*a double-edged sword. He would not be intimidated, and added that anybody who indulged in criticism for the public good would risk imprisonment. The** whole idea was absurd and impracticable; and indeed laughable. If the Labour "party stood for this they | should for ever cease prating about .their love of freedom of speech. ( The debate was adjourned.
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Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 106, 7 May 1931, Page 7
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155TWO-EDGED SWORD. Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 106, 7 May 1931, Page 7
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