A LIBEL ACTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2377, 18 December 1908, Page 5

A LIBEL ACTION.

McLEAN v. NEW ZEALAND TIMES.

[Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, Dec. 17

The action of McLean and 'Sons v. the “New Zealand Times” Company, claim £2OOO for alleged libel, was before the (Supreme Court to-day. Argument took pllace on an application to strike out the clause of the defence claiming that the publication of the report of the meeting at which the alleged libel was uttered was a fair and accurate report of the proceedings of the (Miners’ Federation. Drl Findlay, for the defendants, admitted that in New Zealand , the defence of a fair and accurate report of proceedings of a public meet' was not available to the defendant in an -action for libel. Air. -Justice Cooper .remarked that considerable agitation bad taken place for an amendment of the law. Dr. Findlay said that Queensland and Victoria had adopted an Act in keeping with the English statute, and it seemed unfair that the press -in New Zealand should be debarred from availing itself of a plen which is open to the press of England, Queensland, and Victoria. His Honor said thatAvas outside the province of the Court. Eventually the case was adjourned to enable an amended statement' of defence to be filed.