The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1886. THE EVENING PRESS LIBEL CASE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2392, 6 September 1886, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1886. THE EVENING PRESS LIBEL CASE.

Sib Julius Vpgel has been unfortunate with the relationship with the press of theeolony generally and that of the Empire (Sty in particular. In .Wellington there are three newspapers the Times, the Post,, and the Press, and Sir Julius has oxereised tin umibuhl influence over the W/i-fcimer, and attempted to smother Ifcthijd, Twoyearßagb he silencing the Times when that journal crossed his path, The independence of the Post has been operated upon after, another fashioa, Its proprietor and ilfeditor baa been J.P'd., and thefformer has been furnished with political information from, the oracular lips of Sir Julius, and occasionally inspired as to what course

he should take by the Same high authority. "'■ Had Sir Julius in his kte assault against the Evening, Press, be would virtually have got the upper hand of the entire press, of the city, and Wellington people have to thank Messrs Wakefield and Bpydhouse tor saving the journalistic reputation of the town from ignominy. It is all the more to the credit of the Evening Press that it should havo withstood Sir Julius Vogel, seeing that it was partially crippled by a libel action a few months ago. Had the Press given way to Sir Julius, few could have blatped it for declining a contest which 'might have imperilled its existence. It, however, evinced more courago than than prudenco, and has for the present, at all 'events, put an end to what appears to have been a deliberate effort made by the Government to suppress 'riewspaper criticism in New Zealand. Had not tbo Evening 'Press fought and' won thiß battle, it would have become necessary for the independent papers of the colony to have formed some sort of a union to, resist State prosecution. Perhaps the Government, having received from .a jury that consure'which they ovaded in the, House, will be content to leave newspapers alone,for the future, but should they foolislily persist in runuiag amuck.at them, the sooner a newspaper association is formed to resist undue, interference with the independence' of journalism the better. ./Sir Julius Vogel richly deserves the-rebuif he has met with nnd the pecuniary penalty which it involves, because in tho first place a Cabinet Minister's character should not-require vindication in a law court, in the second because the ease ho brought agaiust the Evening Press was a trumpery one, and third because an ox journalist should respect more than any other man the liberty ot the press. ( The recent libel case will injure Sir Julius Yoget and Xk Government of which he is a leading member throughout the couutry.. • Sir Julius Vogel's best friends can say but little in his favor. The Po3t yte observe is silent on tho case, and does not attempt to extenuate the action of its patron, or even to condole with him on his misfortune, In a personal .sense, we are sorry for Sir Julius, but having some regard for tho honor and dignity of tho colony, and for the high office which he fills, we cannot but regard his continuance in power as other than a misfortune to New Zealand.