All the same, it is a very good sign that_the
House of Commons is at last intent upon doing by means of the law whatever can be done by the law., The old argument that pUblicity is essential as a deterrent was found to have hist its value. There is, of course, no question of holding divorce or nullity trials in secret, and the Bill allows for enough publicity. The publicity argument indeed cuts both ways ; the type of person who may almost be described as an habitue of the divorce court is probably attracted rather 'than repelled by notoriety. Wheh the Areoliagitica. can` be' quoted, as' it was in the 'House of Commons, to show that freedom in Milton's sense is fortified rather than restricted by the present Bill, it is time to make an end of the old shibboleth about freedom. The grievance that reporters will be penalized if, in all honesty, they fail to make their concise statements sufficiently free of what may be regarded as obscenity, seems to be purely imaginary. If it is not so protection 'can be provided in the' Committee stage of the Bill. * * * *
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