Manawatu Herald FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1890. The Use of Newspapers.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 16 May 1890, Page 2

Manawatu Herald FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1890. The Use of Newspapers.

- — ■♦■ Newspapers have become a necessity to he community, an) an Editor, through the columns of his paper has a far la ger audience than the most eloquent preacher, or the most attractive lecturer His audience is found listening to him on the train, in the street, on the Exchange, in the counting house, in the shop, in tlie homeß of tho people, and iv fact everywhere and at all times. The preach r or lecture; can only reach the ears of those who assemble for an hour or -o-a week a a particular time and place for the , urpose oMistening to him, but th" Editor's voice l ever ceases to be heard ; and morning, n >on and night, an 1 every d-iy iv the year, the- sound .of h 8 teaching reaches the ears of the multitude. 'Ihe newspaper wou d be of little value if. it were only exhibited on one. particular place onco a week, •for.une hour or so at a time, and even with its other attraction ; of interest in the details given of general news, wou d fa>l to draw The newspaper has become the great power that it is because, like the Missionaries of old it seeks its hearers, and is put in such a form that it can bo read and digested anywhere aud at a 1 times, and thus offers an opportunity to reach them on subjects which would never cut cc them away from hearth and home io listen to Those who have goods to sell, have not bo v slow to apprecia c the advantag s n newspaper offers, to briug facts before its readers which no oth' r method make 3so succ ssful, yet beyond tho Editor, there are l<ut few holding positi ns of prominence iv tho clerical or political world, who U6.e it c > umns for the advancemoiit of social reforms, or political ch:mges. Tho timo3 apparently alter too fast for tho old school to adapt themselves to tho new order of

brings. Tho Clergy lean upon special pu lications in discussing th« pa ticu ars of their several denominations, but wo now ],oo)r to tJiesa goiitlenien i.H 'oxjir.-'s themselves on Wider suhju-ts of general interest and to entertain broader Christian schemes. Discussions of do.no m\ inational subjects iv those special pub ications arc of ciicumscribed benefit, as they appear civ &hy but common grolln , and are not open to ! the criticism of olhei-.--. We hold th.it these gentlemen are doingharm -to the cou try aud themselvo , byconnni g the 6k|ir"uSßioh oi their thoughts to ttenormnn ional publi' catmus and ignoring the importance of tho daily press No newspaper desires arguments on actual religious dogmas, but no nowspapor wuuld refuse to receive a paper on tho suppress'on of vice, or the elevation of the amusements of the peop.e, or suggestions as to how certain of our Acts of 1 'arliament bear up^n. the very poor. Thus much f >r tho e'ergy. 'ihe politicians come next, but as they do not hold in. men's minds the same posi ion as their pastor doe-, heir action sof less consequence. To a thorough going public man the i'ress should be most useful, beiag the means best suited to disseminate his views on the public questions of tho day, but such politicians are very scarce, and ..it may te said the average po.itician does wisest who says least. We are not in favour of Parliament being overrun with represen* tatives chosen i'rom the conductors of new-papers, or proper cr.tioisin of thfi acts f our pm ie meu wou dbo come dulled ; but who can wonder that s j many are c oson, when all other public men ti-e^t their eousti tuen's with uupmlouab'e si once ? The day has arrived whoa every man desiring to b lielit I. is to lows must uso t:ie moans best fitted for the purpos". and if tho c can ho made c ear, thero %v i 1 1 b« a freer use of the ordiu ry newspaper, tending much to throw liuht v on subjects under public discussion, aud ending i > material y improving the stau* danl of the Press.