MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD POHANGINA GAZETTE. GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT. TUESDAY, MAY 15, 1900. THE POSITION OF MR GRATTAN GREY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6696, 15 May 1900, Page 2

MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD POHANGINA GAZETTE. GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT. TUESDAY, MAY 15, 1900. THE POSITION OF MR GRATTAN GREY.

Some short time ago a ripple of excitement ran through the colony in consequence of the republication of an article written for the New York Times by Mr J. Grattan Grey, chief of the New Zealand Hansard staff. The article in question was a fair but forcibly worded protest against our participation in the Anglo-Boer war, and but for the fact that Mr Grey held a public position, it is doubtful if it would have attracted more than passing notice. As it was, however, the author was immediately made a target for many shafts of hostile criticism, and amongst others the Premier entered the fray, declaring it to be his intention to bring Mr Grey's alleged disloyalty under the notice of Parliament. That the Premier will be as good as iiis word there is little reason to doubt, and a s the matter is thus lately to be the subject of debate during the next session it is perhaps fitting that something should be said concerning the broad principal of liberty of speech underlying the whole question, particularly as MiGrey has just issued a second pamphlet in which he as vigorously as eve r denounces the immorality of what he calls "a campaign of rapacity and bloodthirstiness," and strenuously maintains the right to express his private opinions notwithstanding his connection with the public service of the colony. This of course is the point around which the whole opposition to Mr Grey's unpopular attitude has centred, for as we have said it is extremely unlikely that had he been a simple journalist, and not chief of the Hansard staff as well, anything like the virulent antipathy which has characterised much that has been written and said would have been levelled against him. It is, therefore, necessary before the public form their own conclusions upon Mr Grey's attitude towards the war policy of this colony that they should first ascertain accurately what his position is. That position can best be understood from the terms of the letter sent to him by the Premier when notifying him of his appointment to the office which he now holds. The letter, dated June 11th, 1896, is as follows :— " I have the honor to inform you thai you have been appointed chief reportei of the Parliamentary Hansard staff, vice Mr C. 0. N. Barron retired. Youi salary will be at the rate of £100 pei annum as from June 11th, 1896, witfc liberty after completion of Hansard eael session to take up outside work." Froix this it is quite clear that Mr Grey is no! a Civil servant in the ordinary acceptation of that term, but having the righl to employ his spare time in following his profession he cannot be blamed for exercising that - right. Now, Mi .Grey is a journalist by 'profession, and surely we have reached a pretty pass if in following his ordinary avocation, aa the State has specially permitted him to do, he is to be coere'ed into expressing only such views as the npijbrity of people in New Zealand are prepared to endorse. So long as his private labours do not interfere with Juja 1 public duties^ &e public have no moj^ >tq 4o with his-'dpinions upon the AnploTvar,or any other, = 4uejsion, than

of the taxpayers to aid the Empire in her struggle with the Boers; and until it can be shown that he is the less competent reporter, because of his convictions, then to speak of dismissing hioi from'the post which he admittedly fills in the most capable manner is the crowning point of bigotry and tyranny. If this is to be a free country only so long as we agree with the majority, then we had no occasion to interfere with the Boers, for that is exactly the view of freedom which they took. What we want is something better ; ._we want a country where the minority have rights, and where those rights are respected, and that is just what we will not have if some people can work their will upon Mr Grey. T^e believe that he is utterly and hopelessly mistaken in his views upon the war, nor can we understand hfiw he could have. arrived at his conclusions, but that is his business, not ours. Our remedy is not to be influenced by them; or if we feel so disposed, to give them public contradiction; but that is a very different thing to assailing Mr Grey in his position as a Parliamentary reporter. The worst that can be said of Mr Grey's conduct is that it was indiscreet, and it is to be hoped that in the interests of fair play and liberty of speech when the subject comes before ohe House, members will bear in mind the terms of Mr j Grey's engagement, that they will [^observe the sacredness of that contract, HttMk^^pye all, they will be tolerant differs l from the majority ; but who, nevertheI less, has the courage to express his conI victions, however mistaken they may