LIBELLING THE PREMIER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 12972, 13 November 1902, Page 9

LIBELLING THE PREMIER.

A FRANK- APOLOGY. [From Our Correspondent.] DUNEDIN, Nov. 12.

The “Otago Daily Times” publishes the following as a local:—“This morning’s ‘ Otago Witness ’ contains the following retraction of a statement made concerning the Premier’s connection with the inauguration of the South African shipping service:—‘We owe the Premier an apology. Some weeks ago, by an oversight, a note appeared in our columns relating to the Smith African service and reflecting upon the personal honour of the Premier. We deeply regret its insertion, and believe it to have been absolutely untrue and unwarranted. We differ from the Premier on political'grounds, but we endeavour to do him justice, and we recognise and appreciate his splendid services and are satisfied that in his desire to advance the prosperity of the colony he is actuated by pure patriotism and is disinterested and singleminded, and his personal character and honour are beyond all question. We tender to the Premier our profound apologies for the note we are referring to, and which made a scandalously untrue . attack " upon his integrity, and, as we have said, we regret extremely that it should over have appealed in our columns. We insert this without any pressure and as an act of bare justice, and we trust the Premier will re-, ceive our apology in the spirit in which ifc is tendered.’ ” The note in question made some reference to “ palm oil ” with respect to the delay on the Premier’s part in (accepting the tender for the South African service. t