FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 8, 3 February 1909, Page 2

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

EDITOR AND l'ltlEST. By Telegraph.—Press Association Wellington, February 2. Ihe 1 hues this morning publishes correspondence between the Rev. Father Hick,sou, administrator of the Roman Catholic diocese, and the managing editor of the paper. The former takes exception to statements made in a signed letter published by the Times as an attack on religion, and says: "If anything further of the same nature were to appear 1 should have to seriously consider the advisability of counselling those under my care not to admit your paiper into their homes." Ihe editor points ovit what is meant I by the freedom of the Press, and, though disagreeing with the writer's statements, considers that when a man has the courage to sign his name to what he believes there is no reason for refusing publicity, and that it is competent for those who disagree with him to place their views on record in the same way. He adds: "If 1 hear of any instance in which you counsel those under your tare not to admit the paper to their homes, • I will take such stops as will be calculated to preserve its interests, and at the same time expose, the peculiar tactics to which yon have threatened to resort."