“The Press” In 1866

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31162, 12 September 1966, Page 12

“The Press” In 1866

September 13 In a new country, whose prosperity depends upon the number of people whom it can attract to its shores, it is of the highest importance that it should be widely and favourably known in the mother country, and that any means which are calculated to create knowledge of and interest in it should be encouraged to the utmost. Now the monthly transmission of newspapers from colonists to friends in England affects this to a degree which nothing else can. The number of letter writers is always limited, but any one can post a newspaper, and it is a fact that many hundreds of newspapers leave New Zealand every month from persons who

otherwise would probably keep up no communication at ail with friends in the old country. These papers circulate from hand to hand, are read and commented on, and each through a little circle of its own diffuses a knowledge o r the colony and its advantages as a field for emigration. Every paper acts as an emigration lecturer. And it must be observed that they find their way greatly among the laboring classes —the very men whom we are most anxious to get as emigrants. Thus the press becomes a' most useful and important agent in colonisation, and as such it has been the policy of successive colonial Governments to do nothing to impede its operation.