THE NEWSPAPERS.

Aotearoa, or the Maori Recorder, Volume 1, Issue 1, 1 January 1861, Page 12

THE NEWSPAPERS.

. • The Natives complain, and very justly too,, of the abusive character of the Press. They assert that , the Maori is misrepresented, and many words used not always very euphonious, in condemnation of some trifling error, .on their part, while the glaring delinquencies of the Europeans are altogether shrouded, or. but partially laid bare. . "Who shall contravene this affirmation of the Maori ? Doubtless, they are right; and if the moral perceptions of the civilized Pakeha: had not been blunted by continuous sacrifice, of principle, he would blush with, shame, in publishing to the world such sentiments as usually appear in newspapers; but under existing circumstances,—-the moral atmosphere being surcharged with elements, which threaten to destroy the spark of truth, kindled upon an altar here and there,— it were folly to expect other opinions than are daily discernible in the, public prints.;, for the Ethiopian may not change his skin, nor the. leopard his spots, much less may those speak truth or do good, “who are accustomed to do evil'.”

..“It seems, strange says an eminent writer, ‘‘that among so many thousands who profess to- seek for-truth, so,, few should reach, it.” Put man’s bias is. on the side. of error, just as it is on the side, of sin; for all error is sin. Darkness is loved rather than light; hence it is so easy to. seduce men from the path of truth.” . , - - - Our .Native, friends should, bear in mind!,, however; that newspapers- do notways -represent the public mind; indeed, very frequently the; verbiage contained therein, is, diametrically opposed to public opinion, and taste.. It is true, that the vicious may approve' of a. tirade of abuse levelled at individuals, or nations, hut, the more thoughtful will, see through the veil- which hides the deformity of the writer, and will discard his false reasoning, with contempt or pity. . - ,_ Our friends too, should know, that all, or nearly all, newspaper writers are hirelings,: and not allowed to write what they feel, but what the newspaper, proprietors wish. In fact they arc in the condition of certain public servants,, who, are spell bound by the consideration, that at any moment their services may be discarded, and their wages cease,. The Native people, should he told likewise that the Press is sometimes bribed, and sometimes the material is bought by time serving- men- in power, to prevent the. exposure of mal-praeMces in.'high quarters. When this; is the case, compliments are heaped upon men who have been weighed in the! balance and found wanting-:—men who; are constantly shifting from shoal to shoal, upon the quicksands of mere, expediency. The native people; therefore, mustpot look upon, the newspaper articles with that reverence cine to the exponents of truth. They should attend to-the incomparable advice given “ Search all things,, hold fast that which, is.: good.”' By this rule they will easily discern, that much of what is written is-no better than fables. . Many-audacious assertions, find their way into the, prints of. the day; and singularly enough one paragraph is often made to contradict another. We may explain our meaning by furnishing an example. In a certain Auckland paper, deservedly honored lately, hut now a turncoat, and contemptible, a mercenary says on the 21st December 1-860

“ When our reinforcements arrive, we hope that some active steps will be taken- The root of the evil must- be struck, at 5 and though the. Natives may pretend that it lies at Waitara only, we know better. . Its ramifications extend through the whole of Waikato.” The miserable man who penned this daring threat, evidently intends to-fan the, flame of war, and to urge the authorities to send- troops- into different localities. But let our native friends mark well his hypocrytical- cant in the following sentence from the same article— , - “ War is our abhorrence, and the sooner it is brought to a close, the better will the- community be satisfied.” ; This is one specimen, out of many, of the writer’s inconsistency: AM here permit us. to observe,, that we are-bound by all that is solemn to warn the native tribes against extracting that deadlv poison which is infused throughout many of the venomous productions of newspaper scribblers. ■