The Evening Star THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1911.

Evening Star, Issue 14491, 16 February 1911, Page 4

The Evening Star THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1911.

It is highly satisfactory, though perhaps rather surpnV The Political ing, that the jury Libel Case. in the libel suit of Massey versus the 'Now Zealand Times' were able to arrive at a unanimous decision. It may Bafely bo assumed that the jurors did not all baking to one political party; and, knowing how party prepossessions arc apt to color tho judgment even on matters of fact fas exemplified in tho case of the Parliamentary Committee who investigated Mr Mine's charges), there was too much to fear that no effective verdict would be returned. Happily, this fear has not been justified by the result; and tho moral force of the verdict is so great that Mr Massey would be well advised to let tho matter rest. We are not without hope that the general effect may be advantageous to the cause of political amenity and moderation in public utterance. The hope may v be paradoxical, for tho finding of the jury seems to allow a very extensive freedom to political criticism and suggestion. Nevertheless, we are optimistic enough to believe that the actual conduct of both parties will be favorably influenced. The Leader of the Opposition, who has displayed such keen sensitiveness in respect to n pointed (perhaps unduly pointed) cartoon, and who now finds that be cannot secure pecuniary solace for political annoyance, will (or at least should) begin to realise something of the vexation suffered by opponents who have been subjected to strictures of a much more offensive kind. Ho himself has been in tho habit of charging the Ward Government with " Tarumanyism," and, by implication, with dishonesty of some sort or other; and

it is quite likely that tho jury wore influenced to some extent by his admission in the witness-box yesterday that- those allegations v/ero entirely without personal relation. Mr Solomon's remarks on this aspect of the case wero decidedly cogent. Mr Massey had admitted that he had made strong; attacks on the Government, but said that he did not attack them personally. Surely, then, what was sauce for the goose should be safice for the gander. Mr Massey should take it that, the eartoon criticised his party and not himself, and look at his opponents' attacks in the same light as be regarded those' made by himself. People who lived in glass houses should not throw stones, and Mr Massey should expect the same treatment as lie himself meted out.

The jury found that the cartoon in the ' New Zealand Times ' was political in reference, and not personally libellous ; and wo think that the verdict was justified by the facts and the circumstances disclosed in evidence—especially having regard to the 'Timos's' clear expression of belief (a. fow days before the appearance of the cartoon) in Mr Massey's honesty and sincerity. Rut Ave shall frankly add that we consider the cartoon to havo been a mistake—an offence against good taste and fairness on the political side. So that the ease, regarded in all its bearings, has a lesson for plaintiff and defendants alike, and for both political parties, and especially for those who are habitually engaged in public controversy, whether in Parliament or on the platform or in the Press. We trust that no more will bo beard of the matter, and that the pacific desires we have expressed will not be disappointed.