The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, November 25, 1909. A DESPICABLE BOYCOTT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 601, 25 November 1909, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, November 25, 1909. A DESPICABLE BOYCOTT.

Since the present proprietor has controlled the destinies of this paper we do not think anyone can accuse us of using our columns as a weapon against any person who differs from our views. We have avoided indulging in personalities because it is against the canons ol decent journalism. Our adherence to the cause of No-Dicense and support any movement which has forks object the crushing of the “ trade ” in this Dominion is well known. Our ideal is for the betterment of our fellows and the happiness of our women and little children. This naturally brings us into conflict with certain people who are engaged in the traffic, and we are called upon to suffer a certain amount of boycott. Well, it hasn’t killed us yet, and we are daring enough to venture the opinion that the Heraed will be a flourishing local institution long after the present proprietor and our opponents have “ gone to that bourne whence no traveller returns.” We’re fighting for a good cause and we’re going to win, and we want to fight fair. The majority of our opponents have treated us as fairly as we could expect. One individual, however, in his antipathy—born of the drink question—to this paper, doesn’t play the game. His tactics against 11s are worthy of the man, but we are not going to offend the finer feelings of our readers by chronicling them. Sufficient to say they are not worthy of the common cr garden variety of the submerged tenth. The leash of this modern Simon Degree is only felt where he rules supreme, and, thank heaven, that sphere is limited.

Our readers are aware that a sculling handicap is to be rowed on the Manawatu River at an eaily date. The Herald did its share, which was not inconsiderable, to popularise such an event, together with pointing out the natural fituess of the I,ong Reach for such purpose. Unfortunately, the prime mover in the matter, our popular local sport, Mr S. Messena, took the man we refer to into partnership, and when printing and advertising was mentioned, a share of which was suggested by Mr Messena for the Herald — a local institution —“degree,” in his choice vocabulary, wouldn’t hear of it, and having the stronger personality, “Legree” had his way and succeeded in his contemptible boycott against us, thereby offering a gratuitous insult to every one of our readers. Several gentlemen, for whom we the greatest respect, were asked to allow their names to be used on a committee in order to tone the affair up, but they were committee men in name only, and bad nothing to do with any of the arrangements, and we are firmly of the opinion that neither would any one of them consent to such a despicable boycott, and if they knew what Regree had done we doubt even now whether they will allow their names to be associated with the man.

We do not wish to injure the sculling event in any way and hope a successful day's sport will be provided. All that we desire is fair play and no favour, and so long as “Degree” keeps his boycott within due bounds we shan’t object, but the moment he over steps the mark and hits below the belt we ll be up against him good and hard.