A CANDID CRITIC.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 365, 12 June 1908, Page 2

A CANDID CRITIC.

(to the editor.) Sir, —I am forwarding to you ss, being two quarters in advance for your < paper, the Kawhia Settler, and also take this opportunity of expressing my view of your paper. I am an advocate, though a silent one maybe, for a local paper, but still I appreciate an effort to circulate information and an endeavour to enlighten the people, and as the effort is yours the credit is yours also. Now, sir, if occasion arises it is just as easy for me to find fault as it is to give praise, and, if I tell you in simple English that your advocation of matters are not what thtfy should be, don’t say to yourself, “Oh, here’s a man that’s going to show me. the way to run a paper. At last here is a man to show me the short way to success,” My friend, I have no golden path to lead you on ; I have no road free from hurdles to show to you. If I had I would be on that road myself, and therefore would be able to extend an invitation to you Bat ibis always —be cool, calm, collected and keep your head level. When the Council proposes robbing a man chronicle that, when der ’ing fair chronicle that, when summonsing anyone, chronicle that, please don’t identify yourself with everything and qualify every motion with your opinion. For instance: When the council stated that it was their intention to summons settlers who hadn’t paid then rates you qualified it by saying “No Wonder,” Poor unfortunate settlers, I could enlarge on the subject : but never mind, let their merits be. Are we to think the press with its manuscript under its arm, mingling with the throng, that it’s like unto a dog watching for the first sign of anything down or anything helpless, and with a great show of courage, roll in and help to destroy, for all we know the makings of the materials of what we most need. My dear sir, don't be offended with me. I have no end to attain by quarrelling with you. I desire your co-operation on a sound footing and I recommend that what the Council says in anything similiar to the above, let them say it themselves. You chronicle faithfully and the readers of your paper won.t feel hurt.—Yours, etc,,

[Our correspondent is very outspoken that is why the letter is published, and we will endeavour to Benefit by his advice. In connection with the matter of summonsing for outstanding rates, and our little comment thereon, we plead guilty, and say that the remarks were justified especially when a table prepared showed that no less a sum than £195 Os 2d was outstanding. Consider, please, that apart from the work this amount would do that the County loses a subsidy of 10s in the £. We again say, “No wonder 1”]