LIBERTY OF THE PRESS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 433, 10 February 1875, Page 3

LIBERTY OF THE PRESS.

Although the glorious liberties of the English people may have been slightly curtailed lately by licensing laws and other such enactments, we still retain unlimited freedoih of discussion in print. The revolutionary screeching of " Reynolds " might be the softest phrases of peace and patriotism for all the attention they receive from the powers that be. True, the "Flag of Ireland," or some other sheet of high-sounding title, may receive an occasional hint that it is becoming ill-mannered, but on the whole the press censorship is very mild, and the leniency of the authorities is prettvgenerally respected. We are accustonWd to hear of the suspension of journals on the Continent. In France "warning" a newspaper is an every day occurrence, and in Germany an editor, we should imagine, must produce his paper every morning with fear and trembling. And no wonder. The Berlin correspondent of the " Daily News " gives us some very interesting details about the press laws in the country governed by Bismarok. Here is the famous twenty-first clause of the press law in Germany : — " If the contents of any print become amenable to prosecution the persons indicted shall be — 1, the author; 2, the editor; 3, the publisher ; 4, the printer ; 5, the circulator ; and all shall incur the same penalties as the author without its being necessary to prove their complicity." There is here such a charming impartiality that we do not wonder it has attracted some attention. After that, even our own authors and actors of burlesque or pantomime should not object to a little censorial pruning. And yet we are constantly being told that Germany is " free and united ! " — London " Sportsman."

We next extract the following from Reynold's Newspaper, to show the unlimited liberty given to the London Press in the discussion of any subject that crops up. TO THE EDITOR OF REYNOLD'S NEWSPAPER.

Sir,— l have just passed the Mansion House, and have there seen posted the great and glorious announcement that " Her Roj-al and Imperial Highness," &c, &c, What gratitude is due io the illustrous couple for the expenses of those who even now can scarcely keep the wolf from the door ! I am not aufait at dates, but it certainly strikes me that the arrival of this interesting encumbrance is somewhat premature, but perhaps as the young parents are made of a clay supeiior to that of which the common herd is composed, the period of gestation may differ. Ip addition to that, good living and lazy habits may have an effect. I presume that sickening, sycophantic congratulations will be poured in from all quarters, especially from those who will not feel the increased expense entailed by the arrival of the juvenile prince. And now, one little observation, even at the risk of occupying more of your valuable space. Should the breed increase in the same proportion as at present, where is the money to come from for the keep of those of whom it may be said, " They toil not, neither do they spin." If no more money be granted to the progeny of those who are so kindly augmenting our population, in course of time their incomes, when divided, will be limited indeed. If more grants be made, the country, rich as it undoubtedly is, cannot bear the burden. What are they to do 1 They will not work, to beg they are not ashamed, but to do so in future will be useless, as the good sense of the people must in the endjrevolt, and those parasites be reminded that "Those who will not work shall not eat." 1 am, sir, yours obediently, Edward Joltpfe.

October 15th 1874.