A Rejoinder

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 47, 22 April 1884, Page 2

A Rejoinder

■*•- The Manawatu Times has a singular talent for getting into trouble. In its report of tbe Feilding Easter Races, also in a sensational article headed " A Rank Swindle," charges of incapacity were made against the Stewards, and of dishonesty against certain Palmerston residents. In a brief sub-leader, we pointed out that the editor had shown more than his usual want of tact in making such charges, and at a time which was inopportune. Our remarks were couched in courteous terms, and their good taste should have been attempted, at least, to have been imitated, in any reply the editor of the Times considered within his reach. Tins was not, however, the mode in which our contemporary replied to our editorial. Contrary to journalistic etiquette, he attacked the Stab in his "local" columns in three separate paragraphs. We decline to reply to them for two reasons — first, because to do so would be bad form, and -secondly, beeanse we object to- notice attacks which are characterised by vulgarity and petty malice. We have a strong feeling of pity for a journal which at one time was, when guided by the able hand of its former editor— now gone to to his long home— a power in the land,

but which has now become, under its present management, a means of petty revenge, and a channel for the exhibition of overweening and ignorant self-conceit. At one time the people of Palmerston were remarkable for their singlemindedness aad unanimity when the interests of their township were in any way to be promoted — in fact Palmerston was held up as a splendid example of what could be done by a united people. Since the present proprietorship of the Times has obtained, all this has been changed, and " discord rules where order once prevailed." Persons who were once working manfully together shoulder to shoulder for the common welfare, have now been set by the ears by a meddlesome Paul Pry.