If you have newspapers at all, they must, I fancy, be published by the government at the public expense, with government editors, reflecting government opinions.

Now, if your system is so perfect that there is never anything to criticize in the conduct of affairs, this arrangement may answer.

Otherwise I should think the lack of an independent unofficial medium for the expression of public opinion would have most unfortunate results.

Confess, Dr.Leete, that a free newspaper press, with all that it implies, was a redeeming incident of the old system when capital was in private hands, and that you have to set off the loss of that against your gains in other respects." "I am afraid I can't give you even that consolation," replied Dr.
Leete, laughing.

"In the first place, Mr.West, the newspaper press is by no means the only or, as we look at it, the best vehicle for serious criticism of public affairs.