FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1880.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 51, 20 February 1880, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1880.

THE NEW ZEALANDER. » The New Zealander has ceased to exist, the last issue having been published on Tuesday, and the journal in question is now incorporated with the New Zealand Times. The New Zealander had a chequered career. It was brought into existence for purely party purposes, being the recognised organ of the Greyites, and several Ministers being included in the directory of the company. Mr E. T. Gillon was the first editor, and under his care the paper flourished, an immense circulation being obtained owing to the large quantity of "matter" published for a penny. After a time, owing, it was said, to the interference of some of the Ministers, who each wanted their own particular " fads " advocated, Mr Gillon resigned, and Mr E. A. Sherrinwas installed as editor. During the whole of the time the Grey Government were in power, their organ was lavishly supported by Government advertising, but even this could not keep a balance on the right side of the books, and numerous " calls " were made on the purses of the directors and-shareholders. In fact, so numerous were they, that the unfortunate shareholders were glad to sell the property for a mere song to Beid & Co., who took the concern and struggled with it — supported, it was said, by the Greyites, and certainly backed by Government favours. But the concern proceeded no better under a private individual than it had done under a company. Its •♦ wretched past " still beclouded its prospects, and it degenerated more and more. The writing in it, during the last months of the Grey Administration, and after the accession of the Hall Ministry, was the veriest 11 rot," consisting almost entirely of disgusting abuse of " the other side." In fact, it might be doubted whether any journal published in New Zealand has ever descended to such depths of shame as did the New Zealander during last session. The daily attacks on Ministers and the Ministerial party were outrageous specimens of the most abominable coarseness that ever disgraced a public journal. It was with a sigh of relief the public read a change had taken place, and that a Mr Chantry Harris had bought the paper. Since bis accession a great improvement has been perceptible, and the New Zealander bade fair to take a fair place amongst Colonial journals. The same proprietor (Mr Harris) has, however, purchased the New Zealand Times, with a view of amalgamating the two Wellington morning journals, and bringing out one good one. The New Zealander having been from its start a purely party organ, we cannot squeeze out a tear over its decease. A party journal is a doubtful blessing to the country. There are of course two distinct classes of party journals — there are those which give an independent support to the party whose views they have espoused ; who support its principles, but reserve the right of criticising unsparingly those whose actions do not accord with their professions; which are above financial considerations, and care not whether they gain or lose a few Government advertisements by supporting or opposing a certain man. There are other party journals of the stamp of the late New Zealander, during the time it was a purely Greyite organ. They are started and supported for the distinct purpose of backing up a party. It is their duty to blind tee public as far as is necessary in the interest of their party; black is sworn to be white, and white I to be no colour; principles are sup*

ported whilst it is convenient to do so, but directly" W exigency arises, are thrown overboard; a colour is given to information to darken the actions of opponents, and to add lustre to those of supporters ; in fact, ths whole conduct of the paper is on the principle that truth, good government, the welfare of the peolo and everything else, must be to the interest of a party. Anything moro detrimental to a country than •;he prevalence of journals of that kind cannot be conceived. Such papers do incalculable injury. They demoralise the literary staff employed, they prostitute the noblest functions of the Press, and they help to fleece the people whose interests th=y are supposed to watch. Such journals, in their life and death, may be described in the language of Scott. They Livinsr shaii forfeit fair renown, And, doubly d^nar, shi 11 go down To t.h* v lt» dast from whence they sprang, Unwcp., unhonnurerl, and unsung.