12 NOVEMBER 1921, Page 2

We have written elsewhere - about the case Of Sir Basil Thomson.

Here we should like to suggest the possibility that Sir Basil Thomson might do yet -another service to the public if, after carefully reviewing the facts, he thought it practicable and advisable to bring an action against Labour extremists or Labour or Communist. papers for having said things about him cake- lated to bring him into hatred, ridicule and contempt. There are, of course, no better grounds for a libel action than such charges if they ean be established. Sir Basil Thomson would be able to judge of all this much better than we can. We can well understand that it might be' most distasteful to him, as an official, to take action. Still, if he had a very clear case-he might do much by showing up vilifiers who were unable, to justify their words in a Court of Law. If a great injury has been done, reparation ought to be made, and in exacting it a public service would be performed.