By letter dated 29th June, 1966, the Honourable K.M. McCaw, M.L.A., Attorney General., made a reference to this Commission in the following terms:

To review the law and practices of the Courts in relation to libel and slander; and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to enquire into the extent to which the Law and the practices of the Courts as at present existing in respect of Contempt, Libel, and similar legislation hamper the Press in publishing facts of public interest and in editorially commenting thereon within the limit of what is necessary for the protection of the liberty of the subject and the security of the State.

The enclosed working paper expresses the suggestions which the Commission presently has under consideration for recommendation in its report, together with an account of the 'main substance of the representations which have been made to it, criticisms of the law or its operation which have come to its attention, and other explanatory matter. It is circulated to persons and bodies known to be interested for their consideration. Comment is invited. It is requested that this should be forwarded to the Executive Officer, Law Reform Commission, Park House, 187 Macquarie Street, Sydney, 2000, so as to be received by 16th December, 1968.

Recipients of the working paper will appreciate that the members of the Commission are as yet uncommitted to any of these proposals and it would be incorrect to describe them as the views of the Commission. Nor may any implications be drawn as to what may be Government policy in any matters.

R. D. CONACHER,

DEPUTY CHAIRMAN.