AN OUTSIDER'S OPINION ON NEWSPAPER MEN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2447, 17 March 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

AN OUTSIDER'S OPINION ON NEWSPAPER MEN.

Among the speakers at the Argus and Australian employers' picnic, which took place a few days ago, was Mr Speight, Chairman of the Railway Commissioners, who was very happy in his remarks. We make the following extracts :— Mr Speight, who was received with cheers, said there was lio invitation to the gatherings which were constantly going on in Victoria, that he received with greater pleasure thanthat to the annual gathering of the Argus staff. Ho had a great and strong feeling with regard to that unseen power, that sometimes rubbed us up the wrong way, and made us feol that we had hitherto entertained a mistaken notion of ourselves, and one of the great sources of satisfaction lie had in coming amongst them was to see what they were, made of. He saw that they were composed of pretty well the same stuff as all other humanity was made of, and no doubt, in performance of the onerous duties which developed upon them, the gentlemen conducting tho press felt much greater difficulty and responsibility in indicating the lines of public thought than the bulk of the people who read the results of their inquiries. Therefore, that responsibility, being so great, kept them in large measure within decent lines. Sometimes, however, and particularly when rubbed up the wrong way, they were inclined to think that a mistake had been made, and when they came across the author, or supposed anther, of some gross libel, and he asked how he came to indulge in it, he would say, Well, old fellow, I can't help it. It was all the information I had, and if it isn't true I shall bo happy to contradict it. We have so many columns to fill, and we must fill them. We have managed to fill them to-day, and the contradiction will help to fill them to-morrow.' Notwithstanding that stings were sometimes given which they might think undeserved, still approbation came too, and it was received in the spirit in which it was given. He was always glad of an opportunity of seeing those gentlemen who wielded such a great power in the State, and particularly in these colonies, becatisc there was perhaps no place in the world where public opinion had more opportunities of expression being given to it in tho press than in this country. It was, he believed, to the interests of all that they should recognise the press as a power in the State, and give credit to it for its honesty of purpose and good intentions. If at any time, iu another capacity ho should happen to 1 put his foot in it,' ho hoped they would leg him down as lightly as they could, and if at any time they could give him a ' lift,' he should be delighted.—('Hear, hear,' and laughter.) He was quite sure they would do neither one tiling nor the other without good reason, and that the motives which led them to make remarks on one side or the other would be appreciated by all public men. Men in all walks of life had their own troubles and trials. He could imagine his friend the manager of The Argus tearing his hair when anything went wrong, and his increasing baldness told of increased responsibility. Their friend the editor prevented himself from getting bald by cutting his hair short. He also had his troubles, and it was difficult for him at times to tell which way public policy was likely to go. Those times were most awkward for the editor.