Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1906. OUR RIGHTS QUESTIONED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3643, 28 April 1906, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1906. OUR RIGHTS QUESTIONED.

When we gave it out publicly that our correspondence columns were open for discussion on all matters pertaining to public interest, we certainly little expected that we (ourselves) would be amongst the first called upon to defend our rights. However, it has been thrust upon us, and by the ever acute, alert, and knowing wearer of the litigation wig, who can boast that a chat to him con- , cerning law, costs at least 6s Bd. |We refer readers to our corres- ; poudence columns, where they will j find a very delicate matter touched ! upon by our learned friend (Mr I Moore) —that of dealing with the I publication of Court reports. Now, lin the first place, we are not abI solutely certain whether such is a purely public master, so far as journalism is entirely concerned, or whether the practice is adopted by the Press to satisfy the uncouth appetites of those blood-thirsty individuals who delight in recording the fact that some poor unfortunate is at last on the same footing as themselves. We incline to the latter opinion. Of course, we except truly criminal cases, the fullest publicity of which should be given. But in the case of civil actions extenuating circumstances often prevail, and though they may not always be known to the man of law, or possibly may not have prevailed in the case referred to bylMr Moore, still we reserve the right to publish what we think fit. In all matters of this sort, we claim the right to use our own discretion —the same as Mr Moore may use in the execution of his duties —that of pleasing himself whether he would take any particular law suit in hand. To make it perhaps more plain—lt all depends who the client j is. Mr Moore should certainly have had the good taste not j to refer to the matter as he has i done, but doubtless be thought he j held the “trump card.” Unfor-; tunately for him, he has found a j “ mare’s nest.” He has been mis-

informed, and we can only offer our sympathy to him. Referring

to a judgment creditor case omitted from our columns, Mr Moore seems inclined to believe that our representative stated the reason of its non-publication was ‘ ‘ because it would only mean a cheap advertisement for the solicitor engaged, or words to that effect.” This appears to be the whole text of our correspondent’s letter. At all events, it is the cause of the grievance made public in another column. We feel sorry for Mr Moore, but, in as mild a tone as possible, we emphatically deny that our representative—(who by the way is not the chief of our editorial department) —ever made such an assertion, and we challenge Mr Moore or his informant to prove otherwise. We ' know full well that it is practically a standing order of members of the legal profession that they shall not advertise, but we bear them no aniraosit5 r on that count, and we are therefore surprised at Mr Moore’s reference lo the ,chexpadvertisement business. He may have displayed better taste had he used the intellect he rs alleged to possess to better effect, and not rushed into print, advising us what best to do to check cheap advertisements. We have never referred to the matter in the strain Mr Moore would have us believe, and thus our legal friend’s assertions are out of all order, Even with him that old adage ” To err is human ’’ is evidenced. We err ourselves at times, but in this instance to “ Forgive is Divine ” to us, and we therefore wipe out the blot recorded against Mr Moore. None of us are free from faults. The cunning of the legal profession is second to none, and we almost feel (we beg to be forgiven if we are mistaken) that the whole reason of Mr Moore’s letter was to make known the fact that he is practising in our midst. If so, his object is attained. In conclusion, for Mr Moore’s edification, we may state that, (as rightful owners' of the Manawatu Herald), we do not intend to be dictated to by him or any other personage of his high rank, but will use our own discretion, in the publication of Court news. We honestly feel that civil actions do not concern the public as a whole, and, except in the case of old offenders, we will give others every benefit of doubts and consider extenuating circumstances, when reporting Court news. The matter of advertising solicitors will never be considered, either for or against, in the execution of our duties.