ILLIBERALISM.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 180, 11 July 1884, Page 2

ILLIBERALISM.

We notice in onr contemporary’s issue of last night, an advertised reprint of the proceedings of Mr. Gannon’s committee, a report of which appeared in our issue of Saturday last. Now we have a few words of explanation re the same. We have, as our readers are aware from past experience, always (perhaps not judiciously, as the sequel has proved), thrown our columns open to Mr. Gannon’s friends, who have not upon [all occasions used the privilege with that same fairness which prompted the concession ; we have graiitutiously paid away sums of money amounting to several pounds, for “collect telegrams,” which have been sent solely in his interests, and for the advancement of his cause; we have taken every pains to report and faithfully chronicle his meetings, and have at all times treated him with every impartiality and fairness. When the announcement of his last committee meeting was made, the services of a reporter was proffered, but declined (no doubt for obvious reasons). Wishing still to mainiain our impartial position, our reporter waited upon the secretary of the committee on the following morning and obtained all possible information re the meeting and which was duly given in our next issue. Now mark the remainder. On Tuesday the manuscript of a report of the same meeting with various adornments was sent to us in a most surreptitious manner, with a roundabout intimation that it was to be published in our columns. Of course we were not going to treat our readers to this bit of “ dry hash,” or permit our proprietors to be “had” any further, and therefore politely and apoligetically declined any longer to be made a cheap advertising medium. This was resented in a most marked manner, and the copy demanded back with the threat that it should be taken to the Herald. But this gentleman, who expects much for nothing, and who seems to think that a newspaper is the toy of every one who wishes to use it for his own amusement, and that this journal is run entirely upon philanthropical lines for the public good in general, and his and his friends especial benefit in particular, found that our contemporary was quite equal to the occasion, and that the exchange of “ nothing for nothing ” was their motto. The sequel is to be seen in the line of small capital letters (advertisement), which surmounts the report. We have given this explanation with a view of showing another feature of illiberalism. We cordially thank our contemporary for the fair and just position taken by it in this matter, and would beg of them to assist us in putting an end to such unconsciable demands, which are alike detrimental to the interests and prestige of the press. As a sample of what we have had to pay for in the way of “ collect telegrams,” we give the following which was sent from the Wairoa during Mr Locke’s visit there last week. The absolute falsity of the account has been clearly proved, and bears its own impress :— “ Wairoa, July 4. Locke met a packed meeting last night, 30 being present. He did not deal with political matters, his chief remarks being respective to old associations with electors, upon which he seems to base his candidature, and upon the herculean undertakings he intends accomplishing in the future. A vote of confidence was proposed, but not put to the meeting. Many of Locke’s late supporters will go for Gannon. Gannon will receive large support at coming election. —A. Fraser.”