POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2317, 9 October 1908, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

BETRAYING THE PEOPLE

AVriting upon the passing of the Second Ballot Bill the “Dominion Sa The Second Ballot Bill, which probably has damaged more political reputations than any other measure of recent years, has become law. it is a slight consolation to the public that this noxious Act, introduced without warning, and in defiance of the public will and of the traditional rules of Parliamentary government, in order to serve a paltry party end, is at least shorn of the infamous clause by means of which the Government sought to take- away from the citizens their right to the service of their guardian, the Press. That the Government has dropped the “gag” clause is a subject for rejoicing, but the Government cannot avoid the discredit of having introduced it, and of having fought strenuously for it in the faco of the strongest and most general indignation tint has over greeted a political proposal .in the -country s nistory. Had the newspapers flagged m their fiaht for the public’s rights, tins bad clause would assuredly have been embodied in the Act. l'or its abandonment the country can thank the Government’s dread of an outraged public opinion, since it is quite certain that the mind which conceived the outrage, aaid which strove hard to carry it into effect, is still capable of working its will if it dared to do so. The Government will go to the country, as we believe it will be remembered in political history, as the Government which desired, and which unsuccessfully attempted, to destroy one of the most sacred rights of the people.