The Political Limit.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 18, 1 November 1911, Page 4

The Political Limit.

Sir Joseph Ward, in the course of his review of the work of the session in the House on Saturday, had something pungent to say on certain methods of attack upon himself, and of his own determination to deal with them. He at no time objected to fair-spoken criticism, he deeared, but within the last twentyfour hours he had consulted with his lawyers, and as a result bad given instructions to proceed against a newspaper. He had received many apologies for having been libelled, no fewer than six within the last few weeks, but in one case the libel had been so gross that although he had accepted the apology of the individual who was responsible for its utterance he had, in justice to himself and his own reputation, been obliged to take proceedings against the newspaper which published the libel. He had adopted this course with regret, but there was a limit to which even public men could be subjected with disregard by himself. The announcement made by the Prime Minister appeared to create a profound impression on the attentive benches. I am credibly informed that tho newspaper referred to is the “Otaki Mail.” Stratford Main Trunk Deviation. An amendment to the Railways Authorisation Bill was brought down by Governor’s Message on Wednesday. The amendment provides for a deviation in the Stratford-Ongarue railway route at the Main Trunk end. The line is now proposed *to strike the Main Trunk about half-way between Ongarue and Tauniarunui, at a point called Te Koura. By thia deviation from the original survey it was found, explained the Hon. R. MeKenzie, that some six miles would be saved in the length of the line, while about £60,000 would be saved in the eost of construction. The deviation itself would be rather more than six miles in length.