THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEM. 87 



ipso facto, on summary conviction before one magistrate on the 

 oath of one credible witness, and even then would be liable to 

 proceedings in the Criminal Court. The Proclamation ended 

 with special provisions against unlawful combinations in restric- 

 tion of the currency. 



The Governor thus exercised complete control over all 

 public discussion. No newspaper was printed except the official 

 Gazette ; the Government owned the only printing-press, and no 

 meeting could take place without the Governor's consent, nor 

 continue in session in the face of his prohibition. His official 

 representative occupied the chair at all meetings. In fact it 

 was the Governor who decided whether his Government should 

 be criticised, and when, and by whom. Thus unfavourable 

 criticism which is healthy criticism was choked and confined, 

 and dissatisfaction found its only outlet in " midnight cabals " 

 and factious resistance. 



