The Feilding Guardian. WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1879 OURSELVES.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 1, 21 May 1879, Page 2

The Feilding Guardian.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1879 OURSELVES.

“ I nnj in tltp place wh-re T am demanded of CO, science t<) speuk this truth, and, therefore, the truth I speak, impugn it Whose ii»t..*

Iv presenting 1 the.people of the Manchester and Iyiwitea districts with the first issue of a local journal in their midst, it is fitting that we should say a few words explanatory of the aims anti objects which its proprietors have in view. It will readily he admitted that a district so important an I possessed of so thriving and industrious a population as. this ought, of necessity to possess a journal which would devote especial attention to advocating its interests, looking after its requirements, and iifimr every effort to ensure the tV'velopinerit of its large and varied resources No looa'itv, indeed, in \ew Zealand is more certain to attiin a high degree of prosperity than that of the North Man.iwatu. Settled on a systematic plan by which the land lias passed into i he hands of a large number of bona fide occupants, who will make the best possible use of itj possessed of a magnificent area of hush country,

consisting' of the most valuable timbers? blessed with a fertile soil capable of producing splendid returns this district and its enterprising and industrious settlers have, undoubtedly, a career’ of eve'rinoreasing prosperity' before .them. To bring about { this result all the more rapidly 7 , it is necessary that the inhabitants should be represented by, a newspaper ot their own For these and other reasons, we have, therefore, cast in our lot with the people here, and trust that our venture will receive from them a cordial and a generous support. In general politics the Fbilding Guardian will be decidedly liberal, but at the same time absolutely independent of any Ministry which may happen to be in office. The Guardian will advocate certain clearly defined principles in politics, and staunchly adhere to them regardless of all mere considerations of party ; it will be the deadly enemy of land monopolists ; it will earnestly endeavor to promote the further settlement of the West Coast districts by means of a. more liberal land law, making* Special provision for 'the sale's of land on' deferred payments at moderate prices to men who desire to occupy and cultivate and to make homes for themselves and families. It will strive hard to obtain a more liberal electoral law, according the suffrage to all bona fide residents who register their claims to vote. It will also be a supporter of a measure for procuring a redistribution of the representation on an equitable basis, so that an important country district such as this may find adequate representation in the New Zealand Parliament.

With respect to local questions, the Guardian will strongly endeavor to have the West Coast further opened up by branch railways, so that its vast resources in the shape of timber and other products may find ready and cheap means .of transit to a.port and market. The meetings of local bodies will be carefully and fairly reported, and measures have been taken to secure a supply of news from every part of the adjoining country by competent and reliable correspondents. The telegraphic news of this journal will be full and complete, comprising telegrams not merely from every centre of population in the Colony, but also from every part of the world. Our commercial column will contain quotations of the ruling prices for articles of colonial production both here and in other parts of New Zealand. A special feature of the Guardian will be its Wellington letter, which will contain all the political, social, and general news of interest transpiring in the Capital City. , _s “Having thus set forth our programme it only remains for us to add that we will earnestly and loyally strive to promote the best interests Oi the people throughout the North Manawatu, and in doing so we trust that our efforts will be rewarded by receiving from ..hem a generous measure of confidence and support.