THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1911. THE PRESS ASSAILED.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10407, 30 August 1911, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1911. THE PRESS ASSAILED.

Sir John -.Findlay made a. reckless, almost vicious attack upon the Press of ithe I>ominioni,' in Itihe Legislative Council yesterday. He practically charged rirfc with misrepresentation, and with disnonjouraible conduct in respect to the public men' of ithie .Oomiinion, and, presumably, in neispect to himself in particular. Now it is quite true that the Press of New Zealand has oritioiised the Attorn-jy-Giemenal and; his colleagues. And it will oonltdnu© to criticise them eo long ais tney subordinate the public interests to considerations of place amd power. But a. charge- of dishonourable conduct or wilful distoritjLan of facts: is one 'which every independent newspaper in> the Dominion, will resent as a piece of -gross and unwarranted impertiiaenice. It is fortunate for New Zealand ■■ that few, if any, of its newspapers aire dominated by the politdical pairty in power. If ; ever ttihe itime should ar--1 rive .when the Press is controlled by the Ministry of the day, it will be good-bye to British frpeedom, and farewell for ever to pure and uiudefiled administration. The Brass is practically the only .protection the people enjoy against nepotism and corruption. It..is the only vehicle by which public sentiment can be aroused/at periods of crisis. It is the surest safeguard .the Democracy possesses against .the violation of its sacred privileges. And to suggest that even a section of (the Plnass Of New Zealand is, actuated by other /than honest and honouraible motdives is to cast a ireproacb, not only upon, the newspapers theniselves, but upon the community by iwhasie pleasure lalome ithey are allowed to exist. An insult offered the Brass is an' insult offered the people, and the a-emarks of Sir John Findlay will mot ibe forgotten when he comes before the hustings, as he has promised to do. It risi fair to state that the AttonnieyGeneral is mot without his good points, ©yen- as a nominee politioiani. No-body ..has' challenged his right to consideration for what little he has

done during tine period die 'lias sat in tlie Legislative Oatmeal. But a large section* 'Otf the community, and a great many newspapers of the Doiminion, 'have a hearty detestation for his methods ais a politician, and for those of his .colleagues. They fail It'O see. what lie hais dome to earn the distinction bestowed upon him by the Grown, over the heads of old and distinguished .servants of the country. And. because, the Press of the Dominion: dares to voice public sentiment in this matter, is it to 'be subjected to ooainse abuse at the hands of the Attorney-General ? The answer is (emphatically "No !" If iSir John Findlay tbinkisi that by. levelling 'charges at rthie newspaper Press he is going to enlist th:>. eympathy of the people or shield himself and liasi colleagues' firom further criticism, he ha.& .woefully misinterpreted the. character of the Pineas, and has completely misjudged thecomposition and of the elector>s.