The PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY, AND SATURDAY’ MORNINGS. GISBORNE, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11. 1888. DEMORALISATION OF PUBLIC OPINION.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 20, 11 December 1883, Page 2

The PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY, AND SATURDAY’ MORNINGS. GISBORNE, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11. 1888. DEMORALISATION OF PUBLIC OPINION.

A free Press in—or should be—a safeguard against the propagation of corruption ; yet we find that the “Empire City” is, according to a contemporary, the hot-bod of demoralisation, although it has the advantage of being represented by both a morning and evening paper. The Star says

In Wellington, opposition to the Government is interpreted to mean opposition to Wellington Any general political feeling is not permitted to be imp tried into the question, and if cither of the papers now published there w“re to adopt, any other than the rule now followed, a fe<ling fiipt of blank astonishment, fol owed by horror and disgust, would pervade t 1 e minds of the people, and the offending journal would be most effectually Boy- • otted. What is known as a healthy opposition in other parts of the world would be looked upon us high treason in Weilingon. It is impossible to deny the correctness of our opinion on this subject, and we believe further that while society is cons'ituted in Weliingtion as it now i«, no beneficial change can be expected. From the highest to the lowest, a slavish dependence appears to be placed on Governmental expenditure and patronage for the means of living, and a mortal fear enters their souls when profane lips breathe a whisper against the dread Rulers of the Exchequer. Free journalism can only exist among a free people, and it is to be hoped that the day is not far distant when Wellington tradesmen or business-people, will be able to advertise with, and otherwise support a journal that is free to express its opinions, without the risk of being Boycotted by the general public. When that time arrives a new era will have commenced m the Empire City, and she will have made a huge stride in the direction of self-reliance, which in her case, as in that of all cities, means advancement. If the foregoing be true, a most corrupt and degrading feeling per-

meates the politicians of the “ Empire City," while the tradesmen of that windy place have no cause to feel proud of their position. We can, however, scarcely credit that in a city like Wellington there are to be found a sufficient number of mean, unprincipled individuals to have the effect of influencing the expression of opinion by such a paper as the Post, — it is beyond our comprehension that business men of good standing would act the reprehensible part of “ boycotting ” a journal because it advocated the adoption of measures of a beneficial and commendable character. The proprietors of the Wellington Post must, we think, be credited with having hitherto conducted their paper in an independent manner, and it would afford us some satisfaction to find our contemporary giving a firm denial to the assertions we have quoted. If the liberty of the Press is to be subjected to the caprices of men who have no principle worthy of commendation, then it may ba expected that the political affairs of this Colony will speedily become a disgrace to a free and independent people.