Reptile Bureaucracy.

Manawatu Herald, 26 March 1892, Page 2

Reptile Bureaucracy.

If the Dunedin Star has not imagined the statements made in a late issue as to the directions given by the Government for its advertising, then we have to day a renewal, by a " Liberal " Ministry, of the German "Beptile Bureaucracy" in this colony. We mentioned the other day that Germany, after having annexed Hanover, seized in 1866 the property of its king as a punishment for his opposition. The sum was something dike two million of pounds and we have lately heard of a pro-

posaL of its return, under conditions, to the late King's heir. The interest on this sum has been very useful for many years to Prince Bismarck, and it was advowedly devoted to the purchase of the "reptile press" during a great many years, and thus became known throughout Europe as the " reptile fund." So common was this know-

ledge that journalists writing for government pay became known as the " reptile bureauoracy." The Premier seems to have studied the

aots of the German Statesmen, and

would like to walk in his footsteps. He las hardly yet attained either his power or his ability, therefore we aTe unlikely to see repeated, how* ever much the Ministry would like, the suppression of even 44, out of the 100, opposition newspapers, though the German Chancellor directed in 1879, the suppression of 44 newspapers opposed to his policy. The; will has however been ex-

hibited. The Star is very direct in

I its statements, it says, " intimation j to this effect (to -withhold GovernIjEiept, , advertisements from their coluians) was received recently from the Mines Department ; and we

were officially informed a day or two ago by the local Lands Office, that instructions had been received from Wellington not to advertise in the Star any more, but only in the Times, Globe and Witness." ! ! !

Only fifteen papers out of one hundred and fifteen, support the Government, therefore the Ministry have a hard battle to fight. The papers are npt to dare to express their opinions, but, if they want money from the Government they must applaud every act and deed of that Government even though it is inimical to the best interests of the Colony! We very much question whether the action of the Ministry will be upheld by the majority they possess in the House, when it meets, as some of their supporters must see how extremely damaging such an act must be even to the party whose leaders attempt such a deed. The general public incline their ears to the press because they trust to its outspoken views, feeling that no iMrbetfary interests enter into the questions discussed by them. How different opinions will become -when it is known that the Government make it a quid iyro quo with papers that they will only advertise with those who support them ! Supposing that for a time might oveicame right, and the Government succeeded in their proposals, what value would the reader place upon the views expressed by a paper full of

Government notices ? The winters would become a veritable " penny-a--liners " for the Government, or as the Germans would say a " Beptile Bureaucracy." If " Liberalism as proclaimed by Messrs Ballance, Seddon and others has got to this low ebb, it is unsatisfactory as showing the falling off there is in statesmanship, but it is so far satisfactory as proving the weakness of the hold they have on the country, and therefore bodes the probable early change in our rulers, which cannot come too soon for the true advancement and progress of the country.