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Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 10, 27 November 1878, Page 2

Touching the reeffht appointment of Mr GEOBQH McCpiloch Reed as Immigration Agent, with a salary of £600 a year, and an unknown sum m expenses, does it not appear strange that m the face of the late flourishing of the pruning knife m the Agent General's Department, such an office should be' created ? Then, again, it has leaked out that a portion of the exreverend gentleman's mission will be to arrange for English telegrams for the nevr Press Agency, of which Mr Geohge MpCui(i>oon Reed is himself one of the promoters. There are wheels within wheels, and taking the two together, suspi-cious-minded persons would be inclined to insinuate that a paternal Gorernment was merely providing one cf its staunch sunporters with substantial means (under a cover) to further a private venture. Ib is certainly something more fcban a coincidence that the editor oi. the OJtago Daily. Times should be one of a trio to start an opposition Agency, that to successfully arrange matters it was neoeßsary an agent should visifc England, that at that particular time the Government should; -olscover that the expenses of the Immigration Department should be increased some £900 or £1000 a year, and that the editor of the Times — one of the promoters of the new company — should be the most fitting person to select. We have- been by no means satisfied with the- service of Messrs. Hoi/rand McCaethy m the past, and we feel that another private company could hate vastly improved upon them, but we moat emphatically protest against any attempt upoa, tlj© part of the Goyernmen.t to subsidise its friendly sunporters ou£ of the. public pu^se, This, is certainly what was sought to, be done, when an exclusive privilege was to be granted, upon terms below the estimate of Dr Lemon, and if Mr Reed is. permitted to draw- a large salary and expenses ostensibly as. an imxaigratipp. agent, w.lise virtually he. will be nothing more nor less than the negotiator on the part of the new company, it will be & manifest injustice to Messrs. HoXT and McCabtht, and a fraud upon the country.