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Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2929, 23 April 1891, Page 2

According to a cablegram it is tiie intention of Sir George (rrey to endeavour to secure legislation ia this colony to compel writors of leading nrticles £or the Press to publish their names at t».«3 foot of thoir productions. The renstou };s> Ijircz l?r Lie iutcution ic, thai

writers who loud public opinion write contrary to their convictions at the order of the proprietors of the papers they writo for, and who pay them for thoir work. Ho coolly assumes that those writers who expose the fallacies of radicalism do so from dishonest motives, and (hat had their names to appear as the author of t.ho article thoy would not be written. More is implied—every mau who favours his views is honest and should be proud to see his autograph figuring in the leading column of the journal ho writes for. This is a little too much, even from Sir George Grey, and should arouse the indignation of every respectable journalist, no matter which side his political convictions favour. Six George has invited the retort courteous. Journalists who look upon his schemes and speeches as impracticable and injurious to tho commonwealth have now tho right to put tho question, " Is it possiblo that ho can believe that ho is advocating measures and putting forth opinions which will tend to the public welfare ?" Journalists at any rate, low as Sir Goorge estimates them, have hitherto had the good taste to consider his past services and respect his grey hairs, and have not imputed to ulterior motives many of his propositions, which to their minds appear outrageous and detrimental to the interests of the people. We commend for reconsideration by Sir George and his blind followers, the old saying, " Men measure other people's corn by their own bushels." As regards the proposal itself, aside from the motives for bringing it forward, we are distinctly opposed to it. A newspaper's power consists in its appeal to tho common sense of tho people, and the consequent consenus of opinion on any question under debate. Tho placing of names at the bottom of articles would lessen tho effect of those, no matter how able, written by young and unknown nion, and would have the effect of giving undue weight to those written by men who, whether rightly or wrongly, are considered authorities. So long as the I'ress retains the system of auonimity its articles will be estimated iu accordance with their intrinsic value and not have a fictitious importance given to tiiom by tlie addition of well known names.