A BAD EXCUSE.

Hastings Standard, Issue 9, 6 May 1896, Page 2

A BAD EXCUSE.

Accokwno to the laws of the colony certain information must he made public at certain times : to withold thisin formation from publication is a breach of the law. It is charged against the Seddon Adminstration that its members violate the provisions of certain statutes by concealing from the public certain returns and that Ministers should have no power to infringe the laws. The New Zealand Times, which is the accredited organ of the Government, offers the following impudent excuse for the outlawry of Ministers. It says:—"ln respect to the charge of concealment by keeping back returns, we unhesitatingly say that from what occurred last year, in respect to certain returns which were given, the Government were taught a lesson by which no doubt they will profit. In our opinion, it is better for the colony that the impatience of the Opposition press should be restrained tlran to have a manufactured deficit ranging from a quarter to half a million sent broadcast over the world."

The opinion of the paper is, no doubt, the opinion of the Government ; but mere opinion does not afford ground for a breach of law. Whether it is wise or unwise to publish the returns is a debateable matter, and does not touch the point. The law r says it must be done, and Ministers ought to furnish an example of respect for the law. We do not think the returns have any interest for anyone beyond a few politicians and journalists ; but we cannot see in that any excuse for concealment.