The Need of a Labour Paper.

Maoriland Worker, Volume I, Issue 1, 15 September 1910, Page 4

The Need of a Labour Paper.

(By T. E. TAYLOR, M.P.) The widespread belief that the newspaper Press of the Dominion represents a higher standard, of excellence when compared with the Press of some other countries is probably well-founded. As a collector of news from the standpoint of commercial enterprise, and from the manner in which the contents are displayed for the public, very little adverse cricicism can be directed against the average New Zealand newspaper. But it is equally true that the newspaper Press of New Zealand, and indeed of almost every other country, is a pui-ely commercial venture. The final policy of all newspapers, except such as are established distinctly in the interests of a growing reform, is : Which pays best? In a haphazard way desirable reforms receive some encouragement at the hands of the commercial daily newspaper. Political reforms are given more or less commendation until the interests behind the Press feel theanselives threatened, and then no degree of cunning or misrepresentation is too great for the editorial columns. There are in New Zealand to-day only one or two daily newspapers which ring true on such a vital question, as the Land Policy of the country, and even this remarkable minority at critical moments usually suggest to the public men that compromise should govern their attitude towards proposed land legislation. Oα the Labour Question there are not half-a-dozen newspapers in New Zealand that can, in any degree at alll, be regarded as friendly to the interests of the bona fide workers. These halfdozen are so spasmodic in the support they accord to the workers' interests as to render them almost worthless to any reform party that may be foolish enough to rely upon them for educational purposes. Without mentioning names I may say that one of the large dailies in New Zealand which boasts, with some justification, that it is the most, liberal of all the dailies in the Dominion, is controlled from A to Z by a group of the most confirmed Tories and social snobs that are to be found between the North Cape and; the Bluff. Amongst the directors are men who, in private conversation, sneer contemptuously at every movement made for the betterment of the mass of the people. Whilst the Editors of socalled Liberal journals are allowed freedom up to the point where its exercise would prejudice the financial interests of the" owners of the paper, the Directors always seize the reins when a critical moment arrives in the history of some political question; and the worker, instead of being stimulated and encouraged in his very difficult efforts at reform, is depressed by reading some wishy-washy utterance that is designed to serve the money interests behind the so-called " organ of public opinion." Personally I feel that nothing is more necessary in connection with New Zealand politics at the present moment than a dignified and forceful newspaper, the policy of which will have regard for Men rather than for Money. The present condition of politics in New Zealand calls loudly for the advent of a strong, honest Labour journal. Such a journal will win support from many people who are not ordinarily regarded as within the ranks of the Labour Party. It will not hesitate, whilst fighting for the full recognition of the workers' rights, to insist upon the worker discharging his duty to the community. On the other hand, it will not give any endorsement to the cant that many smugly complacent members of the comfortable class are always uttering about the folly and thriftlessness of the working class. The fact is that if you want to find the highest level of attainment of good conduct, of self-sac-rifice, and of the spirit of real charity, you will find it in greater abundance amongst those who do not belong to the leisured class. The future is full of work that requires to be done if the standard of manhood and womanhood is to be attained that should be easily possible in such a well-favoured country as New Zealand. A well-conducted Labour paper, in addition to doing great educational work for those who are more directly interested in it, will act as a check upon the hypocrisy of the ordinary daily papers, and will also be a stimulus towards reform, operating also upon rhe daily Press. Its influence will be very far-reaching. I believe that it can be made a financial success, and I hope that the control will be so designed as to save the policy of the paper being interfered with by internal strife or the sudden caprice of any section of the party whose interest it is to serve.