STATE LAW REFORM BILL
LANG MINISTRY'S MEASURE DEFAMATION TO BE CRIME. CRITICISM BY MR. BAVIN. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received May G, 10.-15 p.m.) SYDNEY. May 6. Tn introducing tho .Law Reform Bill in Hie Legislative Assembly to-day Mr. A. A. Lysaght, the Attorney-General, said thai under tho 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 press and upon the platform," said Mr. Lysaght. Mr. T. I?. Bavin, Leader of the Opposition, said this provision would be like a double-edged sword. Ho 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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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20866, 7 May 1931, Page 9
Word Count
168
STATE LAW REFORM BILL
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20866, 7 May 1931, Page 9
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