THE "GAG" CLAUSE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 304, 17 September 1908, Page 7

THE "GAG" CLAUSE.

' PRESS COMMENTS. ' (yV T2LEGILAI'II—I'ILESS ASSOCIATION'.) :r Christchurch, September 16. The "Times" this morning concludes a shdrt article on the Second Ballot Bill thus: . ''But if all the newspapers in tho country had been in the habit of prostituting their columns to wealth, that would havo been no excuse for the Government attempting to deprive them of their right of froe speech for a ' single , minute, and it may be as well to let the Government understand -at once that whatever Parliament may do with tho objectionable clause, newspapers mil refuse to submit to restrictions. They have duties "to %. public to discharge as well as'rights of their own to maintain, and are not to be silenced by threats of a paltry fine. If the government likes to invite the stmggle it will find the newspapers fully prepared." (BT TEI.EGIiArn.—SrECIAI. COItRESrOSDENT.) Christchurch, September 16. Both papers again criticise the Second jjallot Bill. Tho "Press" does not see that the further amendments redeem that legist Ifttive monstrosity from tha reproach of beiiig,' perhaps, tho most objectionable measure ever introduced into the New Zealand Parliament. Nothing shows more clearly the degradation of the New Zealand Parliament than' the fact that the so-called representatives; of the people allowed such a provision to pa3S almost unchallenged except by tha Opposition stalwarts. Wo hear a good deal of : .brag occasionally about 'our free and democratic institutions,' but with such a law as. this in force New Zealanders will hang their heads in shamo whenever freedom and democracy are mentioned. At tho very time when it is most essential in the interests of tho public for tho newspapers to speak out they are to be gagged.-, It is the public, not the' newspapors, who will suffer from such a provision. We do not suppose it will affeot the circulation of tho papers by a single copy or diminish their revenue by a shilling. Tho public will, however, undoubtedly suffer by ibeir watch-dogs, tho newspapers, being pre- " vented from exposing wrong-doing --in the crisis of. an elcctipn, tho very time when exposure is most effective and most likely to be required." An interesting time is expected when tho Second Ballot Bill is asain before tho Honso of Representatives with the amendments mado by the Council, One experienced Kpember says there may be another big debute about it, but nobody can speak with any certainty at present, Another member, who has taken a keen interest'in tho measure, thinks members will acquiesce in the amendmonts with very little hesitation. "Bui," he added, "they aro all ashamed of it." An effort, it is said, will be mado to restore tho 500 majority provision.