THE PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1717, 21 August 1879, Page 3

THE PRESS ASSOCIATION.

It is impossible (says tho "Timaru Herald") at present to gather from the telegraphic reports, whether the general election will be a genuine struggle between parties, or whether it will be a mere matter of hap-hazard. The " special wire " monopoly, that great liberal institution by means of which Sir George Grey declared he had secured the freedom of the Press, effectually prevents anything like trustworthy intelligence being obtained on electoral subjeots. The Press Association, which in an evil (hour this paper and many others consented to join, has degenerated into a purely political organisation, and no electoral news is distributed by it, unless it happens to be favorable to the Government side. The special wire, indeed, for the exclusive use of which the Associated papers pay the Government two thousand pounds a year, is really devoted almost exclusively to the political service of the Government, and to the special correspondence of one or two of their organs. The public, as far as we can see, derive no benefit from it at all, but on the contrary, are deprived of the intelligence which they would obtain ;if the wire were in independent hands, or if there were were no special wire at all. All it is, all electoral news which indicates the movements of the Opposition is ruthlessly suppressed by the Association, no matter how correct, impartial or interesting it maybe, whilst at the Bame time the most audacious inventions tending to injure the Opposition cause, are disseminated far and wide. Persons who have never dreamt of entering politics, find themselves positively announced as having consented to come forward as " Liberals _" or Greyites, and as being, moreover, certain of election; while candidates, who are really standing with no opposition, are declared to have retired from the contest or to have no chance whatever against their imaginary opponents. In many cases, the Association has pitted against Opposition candidates some of their warmest supporters, and these have had to write to the papers denying that they intend to stand or that they are in favor of the Government. The Association telegrams, in fact, are for the most part, quite unworthy of credence, for they represent, not what is taking place, but what the Grey party, or rather some of their instruments, would like to have take place. We are convinced that the special wire was intended from the first to be a political organ, but it has never before been used !as such so unscrupulously as at present. The committee who enquired into its working last session, reported very unfavorably upon it, and the evidence Bhows that it is a nuisance to everybody concerned. We hope that the manner in which it is now being employed, following upon that report, will suffice to induce the House to put a stop to it altogether.