SECOND EDITION. SUPREME COURT.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 144, 17 December 1908, Page 5

SECOND EDITION. SUPREME COURT.

[press association.] WELLINGTON, to-day. The action, McLean and Sons v. the N.Z. Times Co., a. claim for £2000 . t for libel, was before the Supreme >Couxt to-day.,,, took place on an application to strike out the sub-clause of the defence, claiming thai the publication of the report of tlie'-, meeting at- which the . alleged libel wbsj uttered, wa_ a fair and accurate report of the proceedings of the Miners' Federation. ■' "■' ■ : " ! Dr Findlay, for the .defendants, admitted that in^NeHv Zealand- .the defence of a fair and accurate report of the proceedings "of a. public 1 meeting was not available- to a defendant' in an. action for, libel i. Mr Justice ■ Cooper remarked that considerable agitation had taken place for an amendment of the. law. Dr Findlay said that Queensland aud Victoria had adopted an Act in keeping with-, the. English statute, and it seemed unfair that the press in New Zealand should be debarred from availing itself of a plea which is open to tho press of England, Queensland, and Victoria. Hi 9 Honor said that was outside tho province of the court. Eventually the case was adjourned to enable an amended statement- of defence to be filed.