THE ATTACK ON NEWSPAPER CORRESPONDENTS. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1501, 21 August 1880, Page 22

THE ATTACK ON NEWSPAPER CORRESPONDENTS. TO THE EDITOR.

Sib,— Having observed during the_ past few weeks that a warfare hns been carried on between non- professionals of the pen, and your " Own Correspondents," permit me to make, or say a few words in connection with the matter. Your " Own Correspondents" have manifested a discreet silence in many instances when adverse criticism was passed upon their furnished reports to your journal. It must indeed be highly gratifying to the members of that fraterI nity to find that their contributions are carefully perused, and criticised. No doubt these "accomplished" (P) members of the "Underwriter's Association Club" consider themselves fully competent to review, and correct the pardonable errors of your "Own Correspon dents." They savour of the modern class of Job's comforters in respect to this matter. Verily, the language of the ancient patriarch has been recorded in Holy Writ, for the benefit of these sage counsellors of modern date. How beautifully the following words suit their narrow minded views:— "No doubt ye are the men, and wisdom will die with you." In a recent issue of the Witness one individual, under covert pretence of an alleged grievance, has absorbed an entire column of that journal in parading his qualifications before the public. This "benighted reformer" claims to have perfected our national system of education. He attacks your correspondent for daring to express an opinion about his manner, or system, of school teaching. After perusal of his " defence effusion " in your paper, I have arrived at the conclusion that the school in question has sustained no eerious loss in severing its connection with him, I venture to assert that correspondents have accomplished much for their respective districts through the medium of the Press. I could enumerate several oorres pondents who have been unremitting in their endeavours to advance the claims and requirements of their several districts. Is it meet that they should be trammelled or obstructed in the onward course of their duties by a presumptuous olass of " brilliant litterateurs ?" I venture to assert that your up country correspondents rate quite as high in the standard of respectability as the kindred society of this "Underwriter's Association." The better course for that class to adopt would be to undertake the duties at present performed by your correspondents for a brief season. The adoption of this suggestion would enable them to " air their laming " with the view of disseminating their wisdom for_ the benefit of the entire community. I am inclined to think that some of these accomplished critics would very soon have to retire from the literary standard, and hide their diminished heads in oblivion for ever — I am, &c, Speotatob.