LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 532, 11 June 1878, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[press agency.J Christohurch, June 10. The following appears in the Press this morning :-—«' The directors of the Press Company lay before their subscribers and the public generally the following facts :—The Government had been in the habit of inserting public notifications in both the morning papers published in Ohristchurch until 17th April last. Since that date no orders for advertising have been given, to the ' Press newspaper from the Colonial Secretary's Office, or the Public Works Department, whilst such notices have regularly and to a large extent been advertised in the Lyttelton Times. In consequence of this change the directors of the Press Company deemed it advisable to make enquiries at Head Quarters and one of them visited Wellington for that purpose, and had an interview with the Government on the subject generally. It was ascertained that in .future such advertisements wouhl be given oiriy to the Lytteiton Times, and Timam Herald, in Canterbury It w.-s l.epn-sf.'iited to the Government that so partial a distribution of Government advertising would, not only place the excluded journals at a disadvantage, but would also be injurious to the public interest as landing to lessen publicity. The Government stated that economy in advertising was necessary, and that other things being equal it was not surprising if they gave their advertising to their supporters. The director of the Press Company replied that if such was the intention of the Government, the Press to prevent subscribers being at a disadvantage, have determined to pub-' lish, without charge, all Government notices appearing in the Lyttelton Times, but withheld from the Press. In making this preliminary sacrifice, the Press Company feel they will have public sympathy, and that public opinion will justify their present action in resisting any attempt on the part of the Government to n.se Government advertising as a means of securing political support," The notice is foh lowed by upwards of a column of Government advertisements, copied from the Lyttelton Times.