Major Kindersley's Bill to reduce the scandal and nuisance of
unsavoury reports of legal cases in the news- papers—a Bill which has frequently been before Parlia- ment under other sponsorship—has been passed by both Houses. We have long been in favour of this Bill, because, though we regard publicity in a general way as essential to justice, and to an adequate public knowledge of what are anti-social offences and how the law deals with them, we hold that there is nothing whatever to be gained by ransacking disgusting details. The new Act provides, for instance, in relation to divorce eases that the names, addresses and- occupations of the parties and witnesses may be published ; that there may be a " concise " statement of the charges ; that submissions on any point of law may be recorded ; and finally that there shall be freedom to publish in full the summing-up of the Judge, the finding of the Jury, the judgment and any subsequent comments made by the Judge.
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