SAUNDERS V. WESTON.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 May 1916, Page 4

SAUNDERS V. WESTON.

APPLICATION. FOR lUW TRIAL .uISALLOWED. By Telegraph.— Press Association. Wellington,-Yesterday. Mr. Justice Hoskiug has dismissed the (application for a new trial of the libel ' action, Saunders v. Weston, proprietor of the Taranaki Herald, in which -the jury gave a verdict for defendant.

(By Telegraph.—Special to Daily, News.) Wellington, Last Night. Judgment in the case of U. H Saunders v. H. Weston was delivered by Mi. Justice Hosking to-day. The Judge surveyed the case and the evidence in detail. After dealing with luw points and putting aside the suggestion of misdirection, he added: "Whatever may be the true view of the questions discussed, it appears to me that plaintiff must fail on the grounds that the occasion of publication was privileged, and' that the publication was made without malice in a reasonable defence of the management of the Kinemaeolour films. Where an attack hat been made on a person he is entitled ta answer it, and- to communicate thai answer to all who heard the attack. Every man is entitled to defend Ill's character against a false aspersion. Communications made in fair self-defence ar© therefore privileged. Where an attack has been made 011 a public occasion, or in the press, defendant is entitled to give equal publicity to his reply. It was argued that reference to the "White Slave Traffic" film was uncalled for, and went beyond the necessities of the case, but that was, in my opinion, a question for the jury.'' Tho' Judge held a privileged occasion to have been established, and that defendant was entitled to the benefit of it in publishing the matters complained of. The motion for a new trial was dismissed, with cost# (£2l), and disbursements against appellant.