The Bay Of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1939. INTRODUCTORY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 1, 21 April 1939, Page 4

The Bay Of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1939.

INTRODUCTORY

DEDICATED to the services of the residents of Whakatane and those surrounding- districts which go to make up the thriving and abundant Bay of Plenty, the 'BEACON' makes its forijial bow, trusting that in return for conscientious effort in the public weal it will merit and enjoy the goodwill and patronage of those it is endeavouring to serve. No community can claim actual identity unless it can boast a local news organ—a .publication that reflects in every way the activities of ith citizens, their varied endeavours, controversies, their hopes, their ambitions, their regrets. The BEACON seeks to perform just a service, and with the co-opera-tion of the people can and will accomplish big things for Whakatane and the districts it represents. In a world torn between alternate hopes and fears, in a land where experimental legislation has given rise to high expectancy, speculation and doubt we can, we feel in this small unit of Empire serve in some small way to maintain stability and confidence. To this end it will be our honest endeavour to give a clear and concise outline of all newfc handled, uninfluenoed in the process by ties to party, organisation, or sect. In such things the BEACON is strictly neutral. In the years to come it will be the Peoples Paper*, recognising their claims, reflecting their joys and sorrows in congratulation or condolence. Non-pa,rty, it will nevertheless speak 7 fearlessly in the cause it adjudges just and deserving', always reserving the right to criticise in fair and unbiassed manner where the occasion warrants. Whakatane as a town, shopping centre, and prospective, commercial and trading point for the expanding Rangitaiki Plains will be the slogan of the future- The cultivation, of local patriotism, the awakening of civic pride, will be its objective. As a tri-weekly publication issued on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays the BEACON will cater for the wide field of council and local body work, sporting activities, social and general news. In this way a complete coverage of those items which it is impossible for the metropolitan dailies to feature will be effected. The leader column will be devoted to community questions in which a lead will be given to various projects exercising the public mind. The correspondence column will be open at all times for the free expression of opinion by dwellers in town or country, providing the bounds of libel, or decency are not infringed. In the cas« of nom-de-plume the strictest confidence will be observed in accordance with the best traditions or journalism. We will have our enemies. They are inevitable, but for them, we will be profoundly thankful, -for they will serve to keep us alert and alive, to the fact that there are two sides to every question. Further one can scarcely stagnate in the presence of the foe. We will have our friends too for whom we will cherish the warmest feelings of co-operative goodwill— we will be more than thankful for them for they will preserve our faith in human nature. The progress of the BEACON will be inseparably linked with the progress of Whakatane and its policy is shaped accordingly. In this the whole community from the businessman to the wage-earner must have a sympathetic and a common interest- An honest portrayal of local affairs will be our earnest endeavour without fear or favour. We will have a close and personal interest in every subscriber and will appreqiate constructive suggestions. It. f,s our ambition to make the BEACON the recognised mouthpiece of the people, in which capacity it will be able to accomplish much for our town, and undertake still greater public responsibilities in the future.