THE GOVERNMENT V. THE PRESS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 8, Issue 451, 31 December 1866, Page 2

THE GOVERNMENT V. THE PRESS.

BECAUSE, we presume, there is not already sufficient competition in the Colony in the mattter of advertising sheets, we find that the field is to be occupied by no less a formidable antagonist than the General Government itself; for, in a late issue of a Government publication, of which most people may have heard, and some occasionally seen, called the * New Zealand Gazette,’ a scale of charges for advertisements is published, and also terms of subscription. We may be allowed to express our fear that the subscription list will not become very extensive; and, though there may be a few tradesmen so convinced of the value of advertising as to avail themselves of every advertising sheet published, we do not anticipate such a pressure as will cause the ‘ Gazette ’ to extend to a very formidable size. One thing, however, it will do for the press. It will, for the future, render unnecessary the publication of Government notices free of charge, as these may well be confined to its own organ. Seriously, we are sonyvto see the antagonistic attitude assumed by Mr Stafford and his Ministry to the Press of the Colony, and cordially join with a local contemporary in expressing our conviction of the necessity for the organisation of a United Press Association for New Zealand to protect the fourth estate from the innovations or freaks of any Government that may chance to have temporary rule over the Colony,