The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1882.

Temuka Leader, Issue 9414, 3 June 1882, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1882.

The Timaru Herald of Thursday complains that an advertisement which it ought to have received has been given to its contemporary evening paper. We should have thought the Herald would never have demeaned itself thus # It is scarcely respectable for the Herald to begin to abuse the member for Gladstone because he chooses to advertise in-the paper which supports him. But, of course, that is a matter of taste, Still the Herald has done nothing more than what the Christchurch Press did when the Grey Government was in power. That Government gave all their advertisements to the Lyttelton Times, and there was scarcely an issue of the Press which did not contain some whining commentary on the injustice of being thus treated. If these papers were published in Temuka they would have some reason to complain. They would see the very people to whose interest it would be to support local institutions giving their advertisements to papers outside the district. Above all others the storekeepers of the town ought to set a good example, and patronise everything local, else they cannot come forward and claim support from the public. If they set the example, and give whatever patronage they have to papers outside this town, then it is serving them right if the public ignore there existence, and spend their money elsewhere. We have tried to make this paper as useful as possible to the people of the town, and district. We have left no opportunity to stir up people to the necessity of starting local industries to pass, and we do not think that wo could do anything more useful than that. We have been frequently complimented on the improvement we have effected in this paper, and on the earnestness with which we have persisted in advocating local industries, Now, there is no other class in the community which would benefit by the es-

tablishment of local industries so much as the storekeepers and tradespeople of this town. It would increase the population of the place and, that would increase their business. But there is no , class in the community which gives us less support than <he tradespeople and storekeepers. We have no complaint to make of the farmers. There is scarcely one of them who has refused to subscribe, and. support the paper. We know we are laying ourselves open to the charge of trying to push forward our own interests, but we have the example set us by the Herald and the Press as an excuse. We must say indeed that it is an example we do not like to imitate, but we think we have claims for support, and that it is not at all unreasonable on our part to urge them. It would be to the advantage of the district as well as to our own, to support this paper in a manner that would enable us to be of use. In America in a town and district like this there would be two or three papers, and everyone of them would be supported. What is the result ? That America is going ahead with a rapidity unknown in any other part of the world. If the people had the enterprise of Americans pur town would be different, and their own positions would be different too. Wo cannot see, really, why owners of property in this town are so blind to their own interests as they are. Cannot they see that the town is going backwards every day, and that while there are tradesmen crowding each other out in Timaru not one of them seems inclined to come here. The ultimate result' of this will he that eventually any man who can leave the town will de so, and that the. buildings which have been erected in it will become utterly valueless. Unless the people take some immediate steps to avert it, this will be the consequence of their present apathy. But we dare i say it is no use preaching activity, and energy and public spirit here. We have done enough of it already, hut it seems to do no good. We may say, however, that those whose interest it is to keep . the trade in the place ought to set a good example by patronising local institutions, and that it they do not do so, > they will ultimately regret it.

Thk result of the meeting of the Trades Protection Association must bo regarded as very satisfactory, aud it is to Mr Franks’s exertions that its success is principally due. The generous way in which Mr Hayhurst let his own suggestions drop, and moved the adoption of resolutions drafted by Mr Franks was certainly well worthy of imitation. A man who foregoes bis own opinions, and takes up those of another, wiken he finds them of a more practical character, does all in his power to secure the success of the movement on foot and ought to receive credit for it. Instead of sticking obstinately to his views, Mr Hayhurst adopted those brought forward by Mr Franks, and the result was unanimity amongst those present. Had he taken a different course the meeting could never have succeeded so well, andonlyfor this it is very probable that such satisfactory results could not have been attained. Such a course of action is well: worthy of imitation as it is calculated to foster union, create a kindly feeling, and cement society together. If more of the “ give and take ” policy was adopted :in : our midst, our township would be in a more flourishing condition, and wa would be by far a more united, happy, and prosperous community.

The meeting in aid of the Timaru Relief Fund promises to produce satisfactory results. Mr Mendelson has promised to head the list with the liberal donation of five pounds. This is an excellent beginning, and we hasten to give him credit for it, and “give honor to whom honor is due.” With such a beginning we are not afraid but that though our townhas been slow in taking action in the matter, it will contribute a sum of which it need not be ashamed.