Te Aroha AND Ohinemuri News. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3. 1908. OUR POLITICAL ATTITUDE.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43381, 3 October 1908, Page 2

Te Aroha AND Ohinemuri News.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3. 1908. OUR POLITICAL ATTITUDE.

This above all—to thine own self be true, And it must follow as the night the day Thou canst not then be false to any man Shakespeare.

In April last when the “ News ” came under new control and management, we devoted two brief articles to the subject of our aims and intentions, more especially in industrial and business matters, and pledged ourselves, while improving the paper

in every possible way, to extend strictly impartial treatment to every section of j the community. The plans then announced have, we unhesitatingly claim, been faithfully carried out; the principles laid down have been adhered to and the pledges given have been strictly fulfilled. From the public support and approval of our policy, we are satisfied that we have accurately gauged the sentiments of the people of : this district, and that our many readers fully appreciate our endeavours to supply them with an efficient and progressive newspaper and a reliable exponent of public opinion. It is desirable, at the present juncture, that we should go a step further and define our political attidude. What stand ought to be taken by a newspaper that aims at being really representative of the people among whom it circulates ? The American satirist, in the “ Biglow Papers,” has described what is too often the attitude of the timeserving editor: —

“ It ain’t by principles or men My prudent course is steadied; I scent which pays the best—and then Go into it bald-headed !”

Nothing is easier than the adoption of such a policy. It is not necessary to confess the real motive, as is so bluntly done in the rhyme. All that is needed is to profess the political principles of the majority in the district; to “ nail one’s colours to the mast/’ and argue in and out of season, and with and without reason, on the side of the party that seeks to advance those principles. The “ News ” will not lend itself to any such partizan tactics, and there are many excellent reasons for its refusal to do so.

The most important reason is that we believe both in principles and in men. In the management of the country’s affairs, sound principles social and economic, must be observed ; but 'it is quite as essential that the application of these principles should be in the hands of wise, experienced, and patriotic men. Therefore we shall always be found insisting upon correct principles of Government, and supporting the men best qualified to carry these into practice. The axiom, “ Measures, not men,” may become an excuse for handing over the administration of the country to a crowd of incompetents. “ Men, not measures,” might lead to stagnation or retrogression ; and while placing the interests of the whole Dominion in the foreground, we shall ever be alert in securing justice to our district and in advancing its prosperity by every legitimate means. Holding these views—desiring to see the best laws passed, and administered in the best way by the best elements in the Dominion —we feel that no further justification of our political attitude is required. One more consideration is, however, ■ deserving of mention. We think it highly undesirable, in a small community such as ours, to have the people divided into two hostile camps and engaging in more or less embittered political strife. The interests! of Te Aroha will best be served by the people presenting a united front to the Government and the Legislature. If our claims and requisitions are made with one voice, they will receive more attention than if they merely emanated from a partizan section. The progress of land settlement and of our industries will be more rapid and satisfactory if the community is not rent by the wars of factions. There will still be friendly rivalry and emulation, but let it be exerted in channels of usefulness to the district, and not dissipated in a criminous political str fe.'

We are for progress, allied with good feeling and unity ; and this is a political creed that wilt be found of tho greatest value in the affairs of the Dominion no less than in those of Te Aj-pba district.

On Saturday next we purpose continuing this subject under the heading “ The Political Outlook.”