THE COST OF NEWS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 592, 22 August 1873, Page 3

THE COST OF NEWS.

After somet’.iug like a year’ experiment it is found that the amount which the “ Ar t us ” and “ Sydney Morning Herald” are called on to contribute for European telegrams is at the rate of between 9,000/. and 10,000/. per annum. Every reasonable person will a Imit (says the “ Argus ”) that an additional item of 5,000/. a year in the cost of producing a paper)' is a matter which calls for serious consideration?' -We have no doubt whatever that our almost daily summary of English and foreign news is looked for with great intesest by most of our rca lers ; but, although is this the case, it has not been the means, so far as we can ascertain, of extending our circulation by a single copy. AVe have every reason to believe that the experience of all bur contemporaries who have gone- to the expense of furnishing their readers-with European intelligence by joining the Associated Press is similar to our ‘ own in this respect. In countries which count their inhabitants by millions, journalistic enterprise is certain to meet with its reward. Not so, however, with us, who have only thousands in place of millions to deal with. No increase of circulation we could reasonably expect would go a very long way towards defraying the heavy expenditure these telegrams have imposed on us ; but, as a matter of fact, no increase at all from that cause has taken place. The result is as we have stated, namely, a loss to both the “ Sydney Morning Hera'd”and ourselves of an annual sum bordering on 5,000/ We have always been anxious and willing to treat our readers generously, ami have begrudged no reasonable outlay ; but it can hardly be expected, looking at the matter in a fair business-like point of view, that we should go on supplying the public with this costly telegraphic intelligence, without receiving one additional penny piece in return. The “ Argus ” concludes its article by saying We shall still continue to give all really important items of news, but messages will be very much contracted in length, and will only be forwarded when there is something of very general interest to communicate. Anything of secondary moment, however interesting it might prove to certain portions of the comunity, will be necessarily withheld, for in this way only can we reduce our expenditure within reasonable limits.