PRESS PRIVILEGE ABUSED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81897, 30 November 1906, Page 2

PRESS PRIVILEGE ABUSED.

Per Press Association. Dllvisw\, November ii), J. Long, proprietor of the " Tribune," tvas charged at the Police Court this morning before Mr Graham, 8.M., with having wilfully gi re u a false certificate with the object of obtaining a reduction of passenger fare in conucction with the trailic of the New Zealand Government railway. The ease was in connection with the issue of a request for the granting of a ticket at one-fourth ordinary rates to •JohuLall'y, a puolieau, at Cromwell According to evidence, Lairey had undertaken to do travelling for the paper on commission to get advertisements, etc., and to be paid by results for information supplied respecting irrigation, mining, etc., also trade notes. Lalt'ey said he supplied the information verbally, and Long corroborated this statement. Defendant denied that he knew Laft'oy was impossible as a reporter. Literary ability was not necessary for a reporter, lie thought he was i[tiite entitled to issue a certificate. The Magistrate said that these privileges granted to the Press were of a very valuable nature, and should be jealously regarded by them, and carefully adhered to. As this was a first offence, he would not lullict a severe penalty. (The maximum is £10). The defendant would be fined £2 Ills and costs (£2 Is).