The Evening Star SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1871.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2762, 23 December 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1871.

In the Eveniwj Star of November 2-ttli, some cusps lio.inl in the Ivesident Magistrate's Court were reported in connection with one of the collieries at Green Island, on which we thought it our duty to comment, in ordei to draw attention to the over-work-ing of children. A coiiespondent signing himself <{ A Practical iMinei, some days afterwards, wrote to us respecting the necessity for properly ventilating mines. This subject is one which peculiarly falls within the province of the Press to deal with, for it is not merely a business question, affecting the owner or lessee of a mine, but it concerns the health and safety of a large class of the comnuuiity* Were there an mspectoi of mines, the press would be relieved of much responsibility : but there being no such officer, the only safeguard the working miners have is calling public attention to the necessity for protective measures. Had we refused to publish that letter, and in consequence sbme death had taken place through explosion, we could not have held ourselves guiltless, but should have ever felt unworthy of the position in which we are placed. But for publishing that letter we are threatened by Mr Pollock with legal proceedings. It is perfectly true that all he requires us to do is to disclose the name of the writer. In reply to his solicitor, we have declined to do so, and as the question is a public one, through our own columns we will tell him why. In general terms he himself is equally interested in securing the liberty of the press with every other member of the community; but there can be no liberty nor can the press be of the slightest use in social questions, like the ventilation of mines, if it is to be subjected to harassing legal proceedings. We may say we have full permission to disclose the name and address of the writer of the letter, who perhaps may be mistaken, but was certainly led to write it from humane motives. The reasons why we declined to do so are : Ist. The Press is bound to protect correspondents who, from any reason whatever, adopt a noni de jdmac, so long as their motives are right, ami their letters are inserted. Were it to act otherwise, all confidence in discussions on public or social questions would be at an end : every man who drew attention to existing evils would be liable to alienation from friends, or possibly loss of situation or position. He might be marked by employers or clubs, or churches, or governments, and his future prospects blighted because of his desire to see something glaringly wrong corrected. For instance, in the case before us, we see no reason why our correspondent should become a marked man among the coal owners. His statements could be contradicted through the same medium as they were made ) and that was actually done by Mr Pollock himself, who took advantage of our columns for that purpose. 2nd. The Press, if compelled on trifling grounds to publish correspondents’ names, instead of being able to contribute to the well-being of Society by being made the mouthpiece of large classes of the community, would be utterly powerless for good. We can only guess the ground that Mr Pollock bases his demand upon, for it has not been stated to ua It must be that he imagines ho has suffered some injury through that letter. For our parts we can sec nothing but good. Assuming that the statements were unfounded, they cannot affect him. The only possible effect they could have had would have been to have made miners cautious before entering into contracts for working in his pit; and if it be

true, as he state*, that the mine is well ventilated, any practical man would be able to ascertain that at a glance, and would not hesitate at once to engage with him. If, on the other hand, ventilation was required, his interest was at once to attend to it. He innsl recollect he stands in a very different position from a mere tradesman. iN o man has a right to prosecute a business in such a manner as to endanger the health and lives of his employes. For his own sake as well as theirs he is bound to take proper precautions, and society expects, and lias a right to expect, this at his hands. The men employed being dependent upon him for their daily broad are not in n position to speak openly, for it might throw them out of work. How then arc they to make known their necessities I Are they to be reduced to the position of slaves, and submit without remonstrance to danger or to starve I Wc are not grievance mongers, but so long as the lives and welfare of large classes of working men and their families are dependent upon the advocacy of the Press, so long shall we feel it our duty and privilege to aid them in every reasonable effort to secure them. 3rd. The public are deeply interested iu maintaining the liberty of the Press, and such proceedings as we are threatened with evidently tend to gag it. There is no tyranny so degrading as that which aims to stop discussion of social questions, and there is not a British community that w'c know of where there is so little liberty as in Otago. In Adelaide; Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, social questions are discussed with a freedom unknown here. Wc are no advocate for indiscriminate attacks, and will not permit our columns to be made a medium for venting private spleen; but we will not shrink from a public duty. We see the consequences of a fettered Press in France. There man are obliged to disclose their names as writers for the public. The consequences are seen in the state of society. What is now sought by Mr Pollock is to make our Courts of Law what the Government is in France—the means ot silencing the Press. We do not suppose lie means it : perhaps he never thought of it; but that must be the effect. Lastly : This is pre-eminently a Press question. It not merely affects the Evening Star, but every paper in the Colony. On their behalf: on behalf of the public : on behalf ot the working-classes : on behalf of every correspondent of the Press who desires privacy, and iu the interest of Mr Pollock himself, wc feel bound to withold the name of the “ Practical Miner.”