THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1879.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1793, 19 November 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1879.

Thk Opposition journals of Christchurch are delighted, and naturally so. For, it being part of their mission to obfuscate the public, when a superior opportunity occurs for carrying out that process then are they particularly jubilant. Like the cuttle fish they delight in manoeuvring behind a cloud of ink ejected for offensive and defensive purjicsos. The opportunity that has now occurred has reference to the result of the Parliamentary Committee’s inquiry re the matter of the advertising and printing given hy the Government to the journals of the colony. Although the subject entrusted to the Committee embraced the work given to be done all through New Zealand, we will confine these remarks to the question of how the “ Lyttelton Times” and “ Press” of this city fared at the hands of the Grey Government. The grievance of which the ‘‘ Press” had all along complained was this. It had no chance whatever given to it with regard to Government advertisements. Certain advertisements which the Government could not avoid inserting in both papers, it, of course, received, but with regard to the remainder, the Grey Government said in effect that they should not he given to the “ Press.” Anything with regard to contract printing is entirely beside the question. As a man gets his house built by tbe firm that will do it the cheapest, so, naturally, the Government job printing was done hy the firm that offered to do it for tho smallest sum. It might just as well have been done by, say, tho firm of Snooks and Co., if Messrs Snooks and Co. could have done it at a less cost than any other company. The question of job printing and advertising are entirely distinct. The first was handed over to tho “ Press” because it offered to do it for tho smallest sum; the second was handed over to tho “ Lyttelton Times” (the “ Press” never getting the shadow of an offer) because it was the organ of the Grey Government. There is not a fraction of proof to show either that any contract for advertising was called for or that the Government consulted in any way the convenience of the public in tho matter. Our vivacious contemporary the “ Star” is singularly naive in its remarks on tho subject. It says : —“ A selection having to bo made of a medium for Government advertising, the “Lyttelton Times” was chosen, not only because it had tho largest circulation and was more generally read, was the oldest-established journal, was conducted with more ability and a higher tone, but when tenders had previously been called for tho publication of Government advertisements its conductors had honestly complied with tho conditions upon all points. If it is granted that universal and indiscriminate advertising is not only not a gain to tho public but a waste, then few will deny that between tho two journals tho Government of tho day acted judiciously in selecting tho “Lyttelton Times”—which has always been tho loading journal of tho Province—as their medium through which administrative notices should go to tho public.” The Grey Government apparently chose the “Lyttelton Times” as the medium through which it should advertise because it considered it had tho largest circulation, was the oldest-established journal, was conducted with more ability and a higher tone, and, when tenders had boon previously called, its conductors had honestly complied with tho conditions upon all points. With regard to the last point, it is evidently implied that on a former occasion tho proprietors of tho “Press” had not acted in a straight-

forward manner, and that the handing over the advertisements to the “ Lyttelton Times ” was intended as a punishment for former misdeeds done by the proprietors of the first-named journal. This is quite a now light in which to place the transaction. It was giving the cake to the good boy to the utter confusion of the bad one. The proprietors of the “ Press ” will probably feel somewhat astonished when this method of looking at the subject is well brought under their notice. If the “ Press ” was so horribly debauched, why seek for further reasons ? But further reasons are forthcoming—- “ The ‘ Lyttelton Times ’ was the oldest established journal.” Granted. And what of that? When two leading journals exist, one must naturally have been brought out before the other, but the oldest is not ipso facto the most efficient. “ The * Lyttelton Times ’ was more generally read.” Did the Government take its views on this subject from the printer of that journal? Recently in the Supremo Court that gentleman gave his idea on the vast circulation enjoyed by his journal. His views on the subject were Brobdingnagian. The Government may have taken their information from this gentleman; if so, wo can hardly feel surprised at the preference givon'to the Gloucester street organ. And, lastly, “ the * Lyttelton Times ’ was conducted with more ability and a higher tone.” In this, no doubt, lies the true key to the whole transaction. The views entertained by the Grey Government on the ability of any journal are not hard to guess. When the views of a paper entirely coincide with the views of a reader, that reader is apt to consider it as conducted with the most transcendent ability. Greyito to the backbone, handed over body and soul to the views of the late Premier, the late Premier evidently respected the ability of his humble servant. No doubt, ho considers the Liberal Reform Association as a most able body of men on the same grounds, and looks upon their “ tone ” as all that can be desired. Whenever Sir George wished to stretch a point the able “ Lyttelton Times” was immediately on the spot, armed with a long array of able reasons why he should do so. King Cambyses on one occasion was eager to marry his own sister, and ho called upon the judges to discover a law which would permit him to do so. The judges consulted, and finally returned as answer that they could find no law permitting a brother to marry a sister, but had discovered another law which permitted the King of Persia to do whatever he pleased. “ Most able judges,” replied the Groat King, “you are indeed well worthy of the high trust with which you are invested.” Sir George Grey in like manner was struck with the marvellous astuteness of the journal which could always find a reason for whatever he took it into his head to do. This is the true secret of the granting of the bulk of advertisements to the “ Lyttelten Times.” The public are not likely to be thrown off the scent by side issues. That the “ Press ” during the past year has done the railway job printing has nothing whatever to do with the question. If the “ Press ” Company had chosen to send in tenders for the erection of the new Post Office, as far as we are aware, there would have been no reason why that tender should not have been accepted. Itof course suits the Opposition journals to mix the questions of job printing and advertising, but in reality the two matters Lave nothing whatever to do with each other.