THE HERALD AGAIN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2160, 7 February 1891, Page 2

THE HERALD AGAIN.

Nothing could be meaner than the attack of thg Timaru Herald on Mr W. P. Beeves. There have appeared in the Canterbury Times political notes, in which Mr Beeves has been referred to in very flattering terms. The Herald has assumed that Mr Beeves is the writer of these articles and that he has thus been guilty of blowing his own trumpet to an inordinate degree. Now the Herald knows, or if it does not, it ought to, that the Canterbury Times is not edited by Mr Keeves. Some years ago Mr Beeves was editor of the Canterbury Times, but he relinquished that position to take charge of the Lyttelton Times, of which he was editor until he recently joined the Ministry. We are inclined to think that since his inclusion into the Ministry he has had something else than writing for newspapers to think of. He is new to official life, he wants to learn the A.B.C. of it, he is undoubtedly anxious to acquire an acquaintance with the workings of the departments of which be has charge, and it is consequently more than likely' that he has given hia attention to his official duties. When Mr Beeves edited the Canterbury Times nothing referring to himself ever appeared in it, and if the present editor happens '

to be an enthusiastic admirer of bis* and has written of him in the manner referred to, how could Mr Beeyes, who is in Wellington, help that. There is a certain relationship between Mr Reeves and the paper referred to which may give a coloring to the Herald's remarks. Mr Reeves is the son of the principal shareholder in the company which owns the paper, and consequently may be suspected of being able to influence it. On this the Here Id has based the supposition that the articles referred to were written by Mr Reeves himself. Supposing they were, and supposing it pleased Mr Reeves to indulge in a little harmless egotism it is not a matter for journalistic comment. JSTo editor who had any regard for the character of his paper would make human frailties of that nature the subject ot a leading article. Such things would do well for a funny column, but are unfit for discussion in the leading columns of any paper laying claim to respectability. Reading between the lines, however, we can easily see what prompted it. The Herald dislikes Mr Reeves—dislikes him because of his radical opinions and the great influence he wields in this province, and it has taken this mean way of trying to belittle him. Let it do its worst it cannot hurt him ; it can only make itself ridiculous by descending to such low tactics as these. However, we presume we may take this as an indication of what is in store for Mr Reeves. He will be yillified, misrepresented, and slandered during his tenure of office by the Herald, but he need not mind that, as very few take notice of anything that appears in the Herald at the present time.