28 DECEMBER 1867, Page 2

Mr. IVason's great libel snit against the Times has terminated

in a formal decision by the Chief Justice that a faithful report of a Parliamentary speech is a privileged publication. As no Member can be proceeded against for anything said in Parliament, this arnotuite to an absolute refusal of redress for any libel so uttered, —surely a very strong measure for the protection of freedom of debate. In some of the discussions on capital sentences, for example, a man ;night be charged with murder, and have no opportunity whatever of being heard. The concession is a great one to the press, but ia it an equally great one to justice?