A SUBSIDISED PRESS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5408, 27 July 1878, Page 2 (Supplement)

A SUBSIDISED PRESS.

The Australasian of the 13th instant uses plain language respecting the practice adopted by Sir George Grey's Government in distributing their advertising favors;— Constant discoveries are being made in New Zealand of the nefarious course of high-handed violence and corruption with which the Grey Ministry seeks to demoralise the public feeling of the country. Truth compels us to add that by the New Zealand democracy, as by the Victorian democracy, violence and corruption appear not to be regarded as objectionable features in a Government. In one electoral S district, that of the Bay of Islands, the registration and returning officer has been removed for objecting to an attempt of a Greyite candidate to stuff -the roll with the names of / 400 Maoris. By his abrupt dismissal he was prevented from preferring his objections in court, and the names were, in consequence, foisted on the roll. Then we find some special and irregular concession made to the residents of Hokitika, to aid in securing the return to Parliament of a mild young gentleman who has but recently left school, and whoso solo claim to the distinction, os urged by his friends and by himself is, that he is “ nephew of Sir George Grey.” We have before pointed out the unprincipled course taken by liir George Grey’s Government by practically resolving the advertising vote into what is called at Berlin a “reptile fund.” That is to say, the Government treats this sum »s a fund to be employed for the purpose of subsidising tho newspapers which support its policy, and of rewarding and buying such support. “In every town," says the Canterbury Press, “ the journal which supports the Government is now granted in return a monopoly of the Government, advertisements." All this illustrates tho strong family resemblance of tho various manifestations ofLiberalism ” ami mob goverument in tho different colonies, whether the mob leader be Mr. Berry, or Sir George Grey. He only has to secure the favor of the majority by flattery, by extravagant promises, by gratification of their class malignities, and

having secured it, ho may abuse his power by the most shameless ■ acts of injustice, or inhumanity, or corruption, without jtny danger of alienating their support on, that iccouut. • •