THE BOYCOTT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1502, 26 July 1912, Page 6

THE BOYCOTT.

CIIRISTCHURCH PRESS COMMENTS.

The Hon. F. 31. B. Fisher's demolition of Mr. Or. \V. liussell's assertion that the Mackenzie Government had ordered the termination of tho boycott agaiiu-t The Dominion* is discussed editorially by tho two Christehurch morning dailies. Tlra "Press" says:—"ln referring the other day to tho distribution of Government advertising, wo mildly suggested that tho supporters of the Mi-ckcnzio and Ward Governments should make sure of their facts before attacking tho Hon. F. If. B. Fisher for his statement on the subject. Our suggestion, we regret; to say, was not accepted in the spirit in which it was offered; in fact, our Opposition friends w.ont so far as to declare that wo and Mr. Fisher ,-yero guilty of 'another piece of senseless and ungenerous misrepresentation.' In spite of this discouraging recaption, of our well-meant advice, we must point out .".gain that though Mr. Fisher did not specifically accuso-the Mackenzie Government of maintaining the system of distributing Government advertising on politico! lines', he might very well have done so." Tho "Press" then summarises Mr. Fisher's statement, and concludes:—"ln view of these fact?, the charge of quibbling, blu-ter, and misrepresentation against ourselves and Mr. Fisher seems to argns a somewhat 'peculiar conception of fair-play." . The "Lyttellon Times." 'which first attacked Mr. .Fisher, and made incorrect -statements' in order to open its attack, has a brief article of n sort at onco amusing and amazing. It doss not attempt to, deal with the essential points at all. but simply says-.-"With the official records at his cl'.-ow and an aggrieved newspaper at his back, Mr. F. M B Fisher has some advantage in discussing tho distribution <if Government advertising, but the admissions he made to a reporter in 'Wellington yesterday show plainly enough that the 'boycott' of which hs has been talking so loudly was removed directly the Mackenzie Government took office. Whether the newspaper to which the Minister is so gseatly indebted should hnvo had two insertions of a particular advertisement or only one we are tmablo to spy, but we presume that public Departments, like private individuals, advertise for their own benefit and not for tho beiK-fit of the journals they patroni«n. If they know their'business they insert their advertisements just as often as they will yield good results and in the newspapers that will give tie.m tho best value for their money. and**thera is nothing to show that the Departments under illr. TTtissells control did not follow this sensible rule. • As for Mr. Fisher's nromised savings i n Government adveftic ing( we shall bo very glad to congratulate him upon them when they, are ellccted but in the meantime wo cannot help thinking that ho would be better employed in attending to.the country's business in Wellington' than in perpetually scolding his political opponents for having neglected this obvious duty."