NEWSPAPER PATRONAGE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 728, 31 March 1876, Page 3

NEWSPAPER PATRONAGE.

There seems to be a great many different ways of defining and understanding the phrase “ newspaper patronage,” and as a party interested in a correct definition ot the same, we give the following - disquisition on the subject by one who knows whereof he speaks It may perhaps save as a mirror in which certain parties may be able to “ see themselves as others see them.” Many long and dreary years in the publishing business ha-, focced the conviction upon us that newspaper patronage is a word of many definitions, anil that a great majority are either ignorant of the correct definition, or are dishonest in strict biblical sense of the wotd. Newspaper patronage has as many colors as the rainbow, and is as changeable as the chameleon One man comes in, subscribes for :i paper, pas for it in advance, and goes home and reads it with the proud satisfaction that it is his. He hands in hi-, advertisements, and reaps the advantages thereof. This is patronage. Another man asks y, u to send him a paper, and goes off wit hont saying a word about the pay. Time files on ; yon are in need of money, and ask him to pay the money be owes you He flies into a passion : peril ips pays, perhaps not. and he orders his p pnto be stepped. This is cubed patronage ()>'e man brigs in a half crown advertisement, and wants a 10s puff thrown in, and when you decline, he goes off mad. Even this is called patronage. One man dont take your paper ; it is too high-priced. But he borrows and read? it regularly. And that could be ca’led newspaper patronage One man likes your paper ; betakes a copy, pays for it, and gets bis friend to do the same ; he is not always grumbling to you or others, but has a friendly word. If an accident occurs in bis secti m, he informs the editor. This is newspiper patronage. One hands you a m image or other notice, and asks for extra copies containing it; and when yon a?k him to pay for the papers he looks sin prised —“ Yon surelv don’t ask pav for such small matters?’ This is called newspaper patronage. One (it is good to see such) comes in and says, “ The year fo- which I paid is a 1 out to expire ; I want to pay for another ” lie do"s so and retires. Tbis Is newspaper patronage. It will be seen tmm the above that whi'e cerfifn kinds of patronage are the verv life of the newspaper, there are other kinds more fita l L o its circulation than the coils of a boa-constrictor are to the luckless pray he patronises