THE LIBEL LAW.
LEGISLATION PROMISED.
(From Ocr Own Corxespondkht.J WELLINGTON, November 14. For some years past it has been generally admitted that an amendment in the libel law in regard to what may be ctjled '"chain'" libel actions is urgently neetfed. For instance, a libel unwittingly publi&^id by the Press Association enabes a plaintiff to reap a rich financial harvest by proceeding against nearly every newspaper in New Zealand — a harvest out of all proportion to the damage i'l-one. Such cases have actually occurred within recent year 3.
With a view to getting an amendment of the law, the Hon. J. R. Sinclair and the Hon. H. Feldwick to-day waited upon the Colonial Secretary and explained the position to him. It was shown that in this matter New Zealand was very nxuoh behind the Mother Country, where one defendant has the power to join, all the others in a libel case, and have general damages allocated.
The Hon. Dr Findlay recognised that this was a fair and proper thing to do, and promised to introduce legislation next session to give effect to the principle.
— Copenhagen. has a larger der paik than any city in the world. It co\?is an area, of 4200 acres.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19071120.2.344
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 2801, 20 November 1907, Page 87
Word Count
203THE LIBEL LAW. Otago Witness, Issue 2801, 20 November 1907, Page 87
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