Milton Parliamentary Union.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 60, 2 July 1908, Page 5

Milton Parliamentary Union.

The ordinary meeting was held on Tuesday evening, the Speaker (Mr Jas. Christie) in the chair. Apologies were received for nonattendance from Messrs Wight, Paul, D, Kirby and Scott. Mr W. Kirby moved that all articles in magazines and newspapers hereafter appearing be signed by the writers. He admitted at the outset there was no pressing agitation to have this done, and that there was a variance of opinion on the matter. If articles were all signed he held it would do good, as showing the bona fides of the writers, especially on political matters. He had heard ,of writers who wrote two entirely different articles on a political question for different in that respect the opinions expressed could not be said to be honest. In technical, literary, and scientific subjects writers appended their names, and this gave a guarantee of the value ot the opinions expressed. The "we " used by editorial writers in the Press was a fictitious " we,"and the opinions expressed did not so often represent the writer's ideas as perhaps those of his employers or his company. If all articles were signed, then any which made unjust accusations against any person could be dealt with. Many statements which might not be libellous altogether would not be written if the writer had to append his name. Space now taken up with idiotic letters to the editor, making paltry accusations against public men could be filled with something better. It would put a stop to those who are always anxious to fly with an anonymous letter to the Press to air some imaginary grievance. It would bring writers into the open, and do away with that fighting-from-behind-a-rock sort of thing. Mr D. Duthie said many wrongs had been righted through the work of an anonymous writer who might have been boycotted or lose his position if he were known. The shield of anonymity guarded him. Respectable journals would not insert matter if it were libellous. The matter had to be truthful. He argued that under the present system we were safeguarded sufficiently, and the good to be gained by the signing of articles would not outweigh the benefit of the present system, Mr Caudle thought every honorable man should put his name to an article or letter in the press. It was only straightforward and just to do so, and the signing of articles should be the rule and compulsory. Mr Dodd objected to compulsion to sign articles. It would be an infringement of our liberty. Articles On social, religious and political matters if signed by the writers might influence many who looked only at the name, and not at the matter. The articles could be dissected, if anonymous, on their merits. Many writers preferred a nom-de-plume, amongst whom were Sir Walter Scott, of a past age, and Rita, of the present age. It might be modesty which caused them to adopt a uom-de-plume, and we should not foice writers to sign. The editorial "we" of a journal was the expression of the view held by the journal for which the article was written, and represented not only perhaps the writer's views, but the views of the corporation who controlled the paper. Before a letter could be published over a nom-deplume the journal required to have the writer's j name and address. I

Mr Atkinson was in favor of leaving well alone, and the present system was the best. Mr Miller said there was a legal remedy it an anonymous writer went too far. The present system gave Jack, Bill, Tom and Harry a chance to express their views, and they did not run riot or make a hash of putting their views before the public through a newspaper, and under cover of anonymity. Mr Norrie said any writer should be man enough to sign his name, No writer to a reputable journal need be frightened of libelling anyone as all that part would be cut out. Mr Curne said all articles should be signed. Some were not altogether libellous but were sarcastic and wonld never be sent in over the writers names. The wrong people got blamed for articles, and a strong argument in favor of signing articles was the case of the editor of a local paper who he believed was recently roused out at an untimely hour by an aggrieved gentleman who felt he was suffering on account of something written about him (roars of laughter). If. the name of the writer had been appended to the report in question that editor would not have had his peace of mind disturbed,—(Laughter). Mr Lilburne said anyone who had not the backbone should not write a letter for publication unless he signed it. Mr Corson thought a lot : of clever writing would be lost to the reading public if it all to be signed. Mr Hitqhon thought that many of our best writers wrote better over fictitious names than over their own. He favored advertisements being signed.—(Applause). When one had a good thing to advertise ho need not be ashamed to put his n£*ro& tq it. With other writings it was different. Mr Kirby replied at length and criticised the arguments agajnst the motion. He congratulated Mr Dodd on his maiden speech and thought that if r naroe W 3 guarantee fifrjpQjjl

*aith in an advertisement the advocate of that idea should " hitch on " to his (Mr Kirby's) side of the argument and apply the rule to all writings.—(Applause). On a vote the motion was lost, the voting being 6 to 5. In the absence of two of the leaders in the next debate it was decided to j postpone it. A number of questions were put without notice. Mr Miller asked if the Minister for I Education would be in favor of paying school teachers 011 their classification instead of on the average attendance. It was well known that many good teachers were leaving the service and adopting other professions where they were better paid. Mr Kirby said the proposition was reasonable, and would be considered. The present policy of paying on the average attendance made the salaries liable to great fluctuation. He thought the principle of payment by attendance wrong, as'schools in scattered country districts were liable to get the inferior teachers, while the town schools had the advantage of the best. The system would be fairer if all had the chance to get taught by experienced teachers irrespective of attendance. Mr Currie asked if the Government contemplated purchasing any of Duthie's estate, now being surveyed, for the erection thereon of workmen's homes,. Mr Norrie said if it could be shown there was a demand for such workmen's homes the Government would be inclined to purchase the whole estate. In reply to a member Mr Norrie said M'Gill's 6 a.m. whistle was no public nuisance, but a benefit to the community, and no one should be allowed to remain in bed after the whistle went, A number of other questions were put and answered, and the House adjourned.