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దంపూరు నరసయ్య
But a change has come over the spirit of the Chief Secretariat. It has constituted itself as Judge as to what journals should get such reports and manuals free and what journals should purchase them. There is no reason given for this departure from the Trevelyan system which provides that all newspapers should be supplied without distinction, with such state documents without charge. The Government in their press print large editions of their reports referred to and the object of this is not that the Government should make money by it so much as the general diffusion of interesting useful information as to what has been done and is being done in this Presidency. The change of system is invidious, as it gives certain local journals the said Reports with the courtesy intended and ruled by Charles Trevelyan, while others are refused them and are directed to purchase the same when a copy is applied for.
We have been urged to offer these remarks from the relation between the People's Friend and the local government. That, the Editor applied for a copy of the Malabar District Manual and the reply received was that, "it cannot be granted gratis, buy it from the Government Press."
The G.O. declining our request is signed by R.W. Benson, Under Secretary to Government. Again in the same month application was made for the Kurnool District Manual, and a facsimile G.O. was received, signed by J. Frederick Price, Secretary. In this month we asked for the educational administration report and Under Secretary A.G. Cardew replies to the effect - go to the superintendent of the government press with your cash for it.
It is hardly necessary for us to state that such refusal is inconsistent and invidious and is anything but creditable to the Government, which rules the Presidency. There is we must be plain, a meanness about these G.Os. which derogate from the dignity of the Government. If it is the spirit of the economy which moves Messrs. Price, Benson, Cardew & Co., why are some journals excused for paying for such reports, why should the People's Friend be grudged the same favour? The fact is that the system of distribution in Secretariat is no system whatsoever, and, if the Secretariat trio will just look into the matter and not press orders at random, they
