Power of the Press.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 139, 12 May 1884, Page 2

Power of the Press.

To the Editor of tfte Settlers' Friend. Sir. — That the Press is a great power m the land every one will acknowledge. It is oftentimes great for good, but it must be admitted that it is sometimes great for evil. Everything depends upon the character and training of the writers > and, to suy nothing of the character, the training : is unfortunately often of a most pernicious nature, and instead of exercising their powers for (he well-being of their township and the colrmy at large, : their • great" aim is simply to make money. If they c^n do this decently, well ; but if ndt, they do. not hesitate to resort toother means. One of this class, and unfortunately there are such, will not hesitate to give a- stab below the belt sufficient to blast the reputation bf the victim, or take the bread from; a family, fov no other reason than that an advertisement worth a. few shillings, or it may be pounds per annum,; had been taken from the 'paper. ;JLt sometimes even happens that the prospects of a whole district are blighted by some miserable scribe/ who, having forfeited the good opinion of all honourable men, naturally becomes somewhat reckless and strikes m all directions. An able writer has said that 'disappointed ambition, resentment for defeated hopes, and desire for revenge, assume but too often the appearance of public spirit." One actuated by such feelings would scuttle the ship rather than occupy a .subordinate position amongst his townsmen. Such writers occasion all the mischief they complain of by falsely -and maliciously traducing the' leading men of the district ; for when our deluded people at home, and others at a distance, read the poisonous libels that are dail) r published with impunity ; when they find no notice taken of, or reply given to, these slanderous pens, their con« elusion is that it must be all irue,and. the act accordingly. , ' If the characters of private men are injured, the legal remedy is open to them, and the indulgence ef private malice is often thus* checked by legal means. If through false shame or indifference people so attacked will not appeal to the laws of their country, they fail m their duty to society and are unjust to themselves. When, through " diappointed ambition, resentment for defeated hopes, and desire for revenge," a whole district is maligned, it is right and proper that one and all should come to tho front to let the truth be kuowt}, and it is to be hoped that on all such occasions citizens will assert their manhood, and "be not like dumb driven cattle." When the press is conducted, by honourable men, and on riglit principles, it is an inestimable blessing to a community, but when m the bauds of a person answering to the above description^ it is as great a curse. Our own future and that of our children will depend m a very great measure on what we make the present. Settlers should take nothing for granted, but on all occasions ask themselves the question, " "What is truth V They should make sure that they arrive at the truth, and m order to i\o so consider that a wholesome stream nevr comes from an impure source. — I am, &c, Juaius.