THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9494, 25 April 1894, Page 5

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRESS.

THE BOYCOTT REMOVED. (B* THIiEGRAVH— CORRESPONDS]*!.] I Wellington, Tuesday. There has been a good deal of excitement here to-day. The surprise of what is known as the " boycott" having passed away, people began to think seriously whab it meant. The Post having pledged itself to the proof that the Premier had committed an illegal act, waited early upon Sir Robert Stoat, who is slightly indisposed, having contracted a hoarseness after leaving the hot waters of Botorua, which almosb deprives him of his voice. A statement of the question as between the Post and the Premier was presented to the ex-Attorney-General who gave "his legal opinion," of which the following is a copy :— Opinion.—l am asked to advise whether there is any power in the Government to exclude persons from the Government Buildings in business hours. The Government Buildings contain various offices that are by law open to the public, and there is, therefore, no power to exclude from the Government Buildings persons who may be desirous of calling at such offices on business in the lawful hours when such offices are open. If persons are by force excluded from suoh offices they would, in my opinion, have a right of action against those who excluded Robert Stout. April 23,1894. The announcement of this opinion had an almost immediate effect. The statement that a person wishing to enter Government Buildings and being refused admission would have a right of action against the person responsible for such exclusion was looked upon as affording a victory of au important kind for the " boycotted newspaper." A representative of another journal going to Government Buildings shortly after this opinion was given was informed that " the boycott had been annulled." It would be impossible to enumerate the rumours that have obtained currency through the action of the Government set up against the Post. It is now generally believed that it was intended as a kind of chastisement on account of one of its reporters having obtained the letters of Commandant Fox, and having published the same. Legal opinion on this matter was sought in another quarter for a different purpose, and it was found that the offence (if there had been a legal offence committed) was done by the person who, directly or indirectly, aided in transferring the Fox letters from their official custodian into the hands of an outsider. The publication of the Fox papers is still involved in mystery. Mr. O'Hara Smith was appointed to hold an inquiry, and so far the inquiry has not resulted in any known discovery. No officer in the public service has been incriminated for being in any way concerned with this business. No one knows anything about it, but every brain is prolific of suggestions, some of them of the most extraordinary character.