LAW OF LIBEL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10824, 18 July 1913, Page 3

LAW OF LIBEL.

NEW BILL CIRCULATED. NEW DEFINITIONS. FREEDOM OF PRESS EXTENDED. [From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, July 18. The Defamation Bill, which was circulatecl to-day, codifies the law relating to libel, and sets out all cases in which libel or slander is protected absolutely or partially. An important provision makes it lawful to publish defamatory matter if true and for the public benfit, and includes provisions for the consolidation of libel actions against newspapers to proTont successive proceedings, and enables a defendant to lodge a small sum with a denial of liability, plaintiff paying costs in the event of defendant winning. The Hilt abolishes criminal liability for slander. Another amendment does away with a. magistrate dealing summarily with a criminal charge for libel, and allows a defendant to demand a jury in all cases. The Bill practically incorporates the present English libel law, plus recommendations of tho conference held on the matter in England two years ago. The freedom of the Press generally is extended, except where tho defamatory matter is habitually printed, and contains provisions for protecting newspapers from actions by impecunious persons by insisting on plaintiff giving security for costs. It permits the publication of a fair and accurate report of any Court proceedings, unless where the proceedings are not final, or where the Court prohibited publication, or unless the matter is blasphemous or obscene.