THE LIBEL LAW.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14314, 27 March 1912, Page 7

THE LIBEL LAW.

NEW BILL IN THE COMMONS.

(from our own correspondent.) LONDON, February 16. The newspaper proprietors who are members of the House of Commons havo drafted a Bill to amend tho libel law and are doing their utmost to havo it passed through Parliament during the present session. Tho Hon. Harry Lawson"(son of Lord Burnham, proprietor of tho "Daily Telegraph") is chairman of tho committee. Following are the maiu provisions of the measure: — Reports of public meetings, uiileae published malicjously, ore. privileged. No protection for the publication of blasphemous or indocenfc matter or to paper which refuses to insert a reasouable letter or statement by way of contradiction or explanation of a report. Protection for fair and accurate reports of proceedings publicly heard before any rourt with judicial authority. No action can bo brought except within two years of the publication of a libel. •A judge in chambers, considering an alleged libel to bo trivial and published in good.faith, h© may stay proceedings unless plaintiff provides security for full costs of defendant. • A defendant may pay money into court without" pleading denial of liability. Ho may also plead that the libel" was published without actual malice and without ?ross negligence, and that ho had offered to insert a full apology. When- a plaintiff sues more than one newspaper each defendant may plead a separate defence and appear by separate counsel, and plaintiff may compromise irith one without reference to any-of the others. Where several actions are brought in reference to the same libel they may be consolidated;