The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1883. Wellington Journalism

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 72, 20 November 1883, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1883. Wellington Journalism

A West Coast contemporary a few days ago commented on the want of a properly so-cnlled opposition paper in the Empire City of Wellington, and complained that the two papers now published there represented the Government only, and consequently such a thing 1 as free criticism of Government measures, or the acts of Ministers, wa9 a thirg*' impossible, or very improbable. We are quite prepared to admit the truth of this, but must confess we do not find the question one difficult to be solved, ihe good people of Wellington have got an idea into their head 3, which also permeates through their whole political system, that tbe general welfare and prosperity of the city and its people depends entirely on Governmental expenditure, and that consequently their own interests are so bound up with the party in power that no iournal would receive sufficient public support to enable it to live, if its politics were opposed in the slightest degree to the Ministry of the day. Journalists have ordinarily a keen appreciation of what is known as Governmental patronage, as well as that of other ordinary business people. If a paper is well backed by the public, the Government will of necessity be compelled to give that paper a good share oi the public advertising, and a reasonably we 1 managed journal can keep its head above water. But where the public decline to support any publication, the political opinions expressed of which are opposed to popular local views, it would be worse tban madness to start an opposition paper whose '• raison d'etre " was pure and simple opposition to the powers that be. In Wellington, opposition to the Government is interpreted to mean opposition to Wellington. Any general political feeling is not permitted to be imported into the question, and if either of the papers now published there were to adopt any other than the role now followed, a feeling, first of blank astonishment, followed by horror and disgust, would pervade the minds of the people, and the offending journal would be most effectually Boycotted. What is known as a healthy opposition in other parts of the world would be looked upon as high treason in Wellington, it is impossible to deny the correctness ot our opinion on this subject, and we believe further that while society is constituted in Wellington as it now is, no beneficial change can be expected. From the highest to the lowest, a slavish dependance appears to be placed on Governmental expenditure and patronage for the means of living, and a mortal fear enters their souls when profane lips breath a whisper against the dread Rulers of the Exchequer. Free journalism can only exist among a free people, aud it is to be hoped that the day is not far distant when Wellington tradesmen or business people, will be able to advertise with, and otherwise support a journal that is free to express its opinions, without the risk of being Boycotted by the general public. W hen that time arrives a new era will unve commenced in the Empire city, and she will have made a huge stride in the direction of self-reliance, which in her case, as in that of all cities, means advancement.