THE PREMIER'S CABLE

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1375, 9 February 1905, Page 2

THE PREMIER'S CABLE

(Per Press Association.) Jr^j - Wellington,’.lasi night. F The Premier, Mr Seddon, ;in a letter to " the Post, refers to the cablegram sent by him to London, referring to the SeddonTaylor slander action. He denies that the cable was sent in his official capacity,' and says he sent it to Mr Reeves aa a friend , and former colleague, and at his own ex* f-5 pense. If the cablegram was published aa official zt was the resnlt of a misunderstanding. Probably Mr Reeves was not in London to receive the message, and in. tho absence of specifio instructions it "was published, ' THE PREMIER’S EXPLANATION.

(Pen Press association.) Wellington, last night. Under the heading of “ Seddon v. Tay-v lor” the Premier writes to the editor-otP'-h the Post as follows: “Sir, —Under this heading appeared a leading article in yoor tejj columns of the 4th inst. The wholesome - rule, with whioh you are fully familiar, *- forbidding as contempt of Court newspaper : comment upon pending litigation, pro- . ! eludes any notice of your reference to lihis fUf trial, or to the conduct of the parties. I am, however, free to correct erroneous in.- * ferenoes in respect to myself to which you’ir I article gives rise. I also believe and ftesl, - sure you would not knowingly do me . injustice in the matter. 1 sent to ary ' | friend and former colleague that to whictf ( you refer. The information was not sent ilf to him officially, or by me officially. The i sending of the information was paid for by me bb a private citizen. My right to send such information by cable, and which had.? virtually appeared in every morning news- - paper in the colony, is, of course, beyond question. If, indeed, as you say, it ap. - peared in English newspapers as from me as Premier of the colony, my answer ' 1 simply is that such a publication as official'' f wbb the result of a misunderstanding, and was not authorised by me. Probably Mr QReeves was not in London to receive the "fl message, and if it appeared as reported, this was probably done in the absence of ’’ f specifio instructions. Yours, etc., R. J, Seddon.” j