TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIII, Issue 288, 10 December 1898, Page 3

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Under the headings ' ' Aftermath of Libel Actions," " A Blenheim Syndicate that did not Prosper," the Ohristchuroh Press publishes a considerable portion of the evidence adduced m the action Mills v. Rogers and Sinclair,. heard at the recent sittings of the Supreme Court ; and m the same issue it deals with the case m a leading article. It is interesting to read the remarks made by our contemporary, who, it will bo remembered, was successful m the libel aotion brought against it by Mr Mills, while, the Otago Times was mulcted m the sum of £150 damages for publishing the same article. After recalling the circumstances of the libel actions, the Press goes on to say that the faots adduced m the recent case show the need of some new law of libel and some cooperation among journalists :— Then : — " We see nothing m the agreement or m the attendant circumstances to distinguish it from a mere monetary speculation from beginning to end. It is another instance of the disadvantages under which newspapers m New Zealand labour, owing to the law of libel being unreformed, and at least a generation behind that of most civilised countries. In England, not only have newspapers much greater latitude than m New Zealand m the matter of publishing reports and comments on subjeots of public interest, but the same facilities are not afforded to syndicates and others to make a libel claim into a bonanza. .... ilf the newspapers -m New Zealand are to be protected m their 'duty to the public, it is high time that our libel law was placed on a reformed basis.