ADVERTISING GOVERNMENT LAND SALES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5329, 26 April 1878, Page 5

ADVERTISING GOVERNMENT LAND SALES.

(From the Morning Herald, April 12). The discussion at tho Land Board shows' the discontent of the country with the present; way of advertising Government land sales. Two country members, Messrs. Bastings and Thomson, strongly condemned it on the ground that the Otago Daily Times was notwidely seen in the country. Had these gentlemen been aware of all the facts, they would, perhaps have had something more to say. We now state them for the benefit of the Board,, the public, and the Government, which,, although responsible, may not know the truth. In answer to an advertisement, this journal, tendered for tho Government land sales, &c.,, guaranteeing a daily circulation of 3000 as aminimum for twelve months. No intimation, was made as to the result, and, in opposition. to rule, the successful tender, with the amount,, did not appear in the Gazette. It may or may not surprise the public to learn that the reason; of this unusual reticence on the part of the s Government Department—the Treasury, wet presume—was that the advertising had been, given to the Olayo Daily Times at double the rate of our offer; our circulation being double that of the favored journal. The loss to the Government is probably some thousands of pounds, while they pay twice the sum for advertising that they need have done. If the two members of the Board from their place in the House demand an investigation, they may aid in exposing an unseemly job, and fixing the responsibility of this act- on the right person. The transaction is of a piece with the auctioneers’ compact and the purchase of the Olayo Dally Times by tho sielect circle which now inspires that newspaper, and extends its secret undesirable influence to the Govornmnet of the country. The large o ountry circulation of this journal is a palpable: fact ; it may bo verified by any one who wild take tho trouble to notice the parcels despatched by train of a morning. Messrs. Bastings aud Thomson merely state a fact in declaiming against the little publicity which has resulted from an act of tho Government at variance with-established rule, the acceptance of the lowest tender-, aud their keeping tho matter secret by not publishing tho tenders in the Gazette. We regret to have to make this charge, but it involves the bona jides of a Government department, and wo should like to see the action justified. It is an odd circumstance, and worthy of note, that the favored journal’s tender this year was accepted at four times the rate paid to that journal last year for’the same service. Scd quit cuslodiel castodes ! We call for the publication of the tenders.