This Paper!

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 31, 6 October 1911, Page 10

This Paper!

The further enlarging of "Tlie Maoriland Worker" makes the occasion appropriate for some remarks anent ourselves. Although—to be quite frank —our paper is not yet a commercially paying proposition, pressure on space, joined to cheapened technical processes, impel us to give the reader the advantage of the last-named in order to cope with the first requirement and incidentally prove financially successful.

;We doubt if any working-class paper of! the English-speaking., world has made quicker advancement than "The Mjaoriland Worker." We believe we have established a record in rapidity of progress. We cannot recall an instance of a Labor paper which as early in its age as ours was anything near our size at the price.

It seems to us that some of our critics —unfairly comparing us with tho "Workers" they have grown accustomed to in Australia—have expected us to begin " where : certain contemporaries have, so to speak, finish-, cd. These contemporaries as at.present are the outcome of a long and terrific struggle with unscrupulous opposition from without and keen warfare from 'within." They have had to fight fearful odds—to. emerge triumphant, Avith financial solidity and powerful staffs. Nothing is more inspiring nor more creditable than the history of the papers of the Labor movement of Australia. Those papers are a noteworthy achievement in many ways, but particularly iii demonstrating the brilliant success and capacity of unionOAvncd collective-co-operative neAvspapers. What our brethren have done we can and shall do if we get our chance, our time—as they got their chance and their time. We can do all they have done —perhaps more. Already we have eclipsed them in the rate-of-progress. We are sorry to say that our oavii brief experience has been one of encountering thoughtless or some ay hat malicious attack as deficient in this or that journalistic department—when actually, necessary limitations considered, Aye have been as up-to-date even as our contemporaries, There have been no cause, no justification, for attack on this score, however much cause and justification there have been on the score of policy and principles. This latter Aye can allow and combat —but it is uiiAvorthy criticism which, because of displeasure on one score, seeks its outlet in captious fault-finding upon other grounds. The truth is that the critics avo have in mind resent our endorsement of Industrial Unionism and Revolutionary Socialism, and the necessarily different attitude to things passing in consequence. If they will be honest and outspoken Aye can reason out the real grievance and, Aye believe, substantiate our position and convince the critic.

Upon this question of the place and work of working-class papers we must insist that those who self-sacri-ficingly start such papers do not start them to be as all other papers, but considerably unlike other papers. It Avoidd be no glory, no achievement, to establish such a paper as ours upon the lines of giving the public -Ay-hat it wants. It is Avhat.it doesn't Avant that the public most needs. It -".wants—proclaim the quidnuncs—platitudes and piffle; it needs—«aywe—education,and

thought. Bent upon pleasing the public, Aye could please it as easily as others —make no mistake about that. Bent upon turning out the stuff that sells, wo could do it as efficiently as others, and perhaps beat them at their own :;a,me. May Aye add that if this is the •oquiremeiit of our readers, then a thousand editors are to be had for the job; but if something different is the requirement, then the editors —alas ! — are feAV hi number.

For. ourselves, Aye have no. objection to pleasing the public providing the public" is pleased with Avhat Aye give it at least, providing the pleasing does not interfere Avith the basic purposes of education, agitation and organisation. ■

:But to subordinate policy to expediency thereby to please is unthinkable, indeed, would be criminal. And Aye haA r e too high an idea and ideal of our journalistic function —too high an.opinion of the men Avhose self-denial, energy and entlmsiasm brought this paper into! being—to lend ourselves to a mere popularity-seeking "all things to all men" plan of campaign. To us it would seem deliberate treachery.

Not that, again, Aye object to popularity providing that popularity is not purchased at the sacrifice of principle. Much in the same sense as Aye believe that by seeking first the Kingdom of Socialism all else will be added, do we also believe that by standing steadfast to primary Avorking-class purposes popularity will be added unto us. We are a winning paper as Avell as a vitallynecessary paper.

With this issue, then, Aye make an effort to add to our attractiveness •without lessening our utility. As the days go by," Aye; shall strengthen that attractiveness —for with money. at command we could make each department of our paper right in the lead. We are hot WoAvseristi'c (no offence intended), and in their reasonable perspective relish sport and the theatre, fun and frolic, and the entertainment and diversity of printer's ink as Avell as tho instructiveness and profit of printer's ink —and further, have as keen a passion for news a.s most- Yet Aye are not a daily paper, nor a Aveekly paper simply catering to arfattened appetite —but rather a paper of comment and information concerning the workingclass movement for social justice and. economic emancipation.

Essentially, such a paper as ours is a supplement to the daily paper; such a papers as ours wouldn't be Avorth a hang unless "different" to most newspapers. To think of the Avorker's hard-earned pence, his burning passion for a Square. Deal, his solidarity and spirit, his longing for fair-play and class upliftniont—to .think' of all this ending in the establishment of a paper-to tickle everybody's ears and dull eA'erybody's discontent and Avits! Madness lies there, brother..

Of course, Aye quite recognise—none better—the need of iioavs, etc. But A\ T e cannot hope to compete with other papers in this special direction, and, anyAvay, we maintain that our paper is here to gi\ r e the neAA's the other papers do not give; and measured thus, Avhy our paper has been full of neAvs— real neAvs, iicavs for a Avorking-class reaching to its oavii and elected of Destiny to be ruling-class and. only class. Never let us forget the high nature of our calling, the grandeur of our mission. So Aye re-dedicate "The Maoriland Worker" to the liberating plan and purpose of Karl Marx, greatest of the great AA-orking-class liberators. Emancipation our goal—and as the "next step." In the Marxiaik manner and by the Marxian method:. Nothing less or else will suffice or avail. Brothers, the truth at all costs. ' Which brings us tcj- re-stating that

as far as the policy of this paper is concerned- there can be no alteration. Our policy is sound and correct. It is just and Way Out. It is right that in this particular at least Aye start Avhere our follow-" Workers" have left off. We doubt if there is in harness a Labor editor of weight ay ho would not prefer his paper to stand Avhere we stand rather than to. stand somewhere else because "the time is not ripe" or "the people are not. ready" for our position. Away with such treason! It has done duty from the beginning of men, and will do duty until it is scorned and repudiated.

Surely it would be a calamity if this paper's policy had to be changed to suit the opportunism and timidities Of readers. . Shall it be changed? Never while .our. .present staff is at the. helm. Not the pay but the post holds that staff here. The prospects are brightening and the. possibilities nearing. It is a big thing you have done, men of the Labor Federation, in founding this instrument and mouthpiece, this organ of the Social Revolution. It is a big thing you have got on. You can make the paper a forcefulpart of the working-class press of the Avorld, Avhich press is to bring to the working-class the whole Avide world. Oppose the "set" of some on us by the more fiercely espousing us, and give the lie direct to all mud-slinging and undermining. Whatever we are not, Aye axe for you. For you.