"GROSS IMPERTINENCE"

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 121, 26 May 1925, Page 8

"GROSS IMPERTINENCE"

NEWSPAPERS TAKEN TO TASK.

The "Manawatu Daily Times" says that a member occupying a high place in the House of Representatives who professes to have no designs himself upon the leadership of the Reform Party, complains that a dozen newspapers, which previously had displayed little interest in the welfare of the party, are now arrogating to themselves the right to nominate a successor to Mr. Massey. He regards it as gross impertinence on the part of these papers to attempt to create a public'opinion that will favour or discredit this candidate or that. It is a flagrant breach of all etiquette and precedent in such matters, he declares, and should be resented by the general public as well as by the Reform members of the House.' The members know a great deal more about the candidates for the Premiership than do all the editors in the Dominion put together, and they should be allowed to make 'their choice without any pressure, or even suggestion, from outside. "Of course," says the "Times," "there is some "truth, and a good deal of common sense in all this; but in these days it would be a, bold man who attempted to place any restrictions upon the latitude the Press permits itself in discussing political prospects and happenings. Nor can its disregard for the susceptibilities of the protesting member in this instance do a great deal of harm. The Reform members _ of the House will have the last say_ in the selection of their leader, and their choice probably will be dictated rather by expediency than by any personal predilection."