Occasional Notes.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 43, 6 May 1875, Page 7

Occasional Notes.

THE NEWSPAPER PRESS.

In these days we are well aware that the newspaper press is a great power in the land. In this colony perhaps there is hardly a person who has got beyond the years of childhood and can .aad who does not regularly or occasionally study the newspaper. Either for good or evil therefore the influence of the newspaper press is very great. Xt is a satisfactory reflection that, generally speaking, that influence is very beneficial. Our elementary schools are useful and indispensable, for the purpose of opening to the young the gates of knowledgd j but probably there is no more general or effective instructor than the newspaper as regards all such people — and they form a large class — who do not devote much time to the study of books. In proportion to population, a large number of newspapers are usually published in those civilised countries in which the people so fortunate as to live under a free and popular Government, which does not tyrannise or endeavor to suppress the freedom of writing and public speaking. In this colony we know there is hardly a locality which is more than sparsely settled which does not sport a newspaper. Then th«re are few subjects of interest to human beings which newspapers do not bring under the attention of their multitudinous readers. The news of the day, politics, science in theory and practice, theology, and even minutiae connected with the affairs of common life, suuh as household arrangments and cooking. All these subjects are either by editorial articles or contributors, by reports of speeches, by clipping and extracts from periodicals and books, brought under the eye of the public in a manner more of less judicious and beneficial, according to the capacity and fitness for his office of the occupant of the editorial chair. Considering the very important and influential position they hold as purveyors of the mental pabulum of the people, editors of newspapers should be sensible of the high character of their profession, and endeavor to uphold the respectability and utility of the newspaper press ; and though they permit in the columns of newspapers the free expression of opinion, and allow their papers to be the exponents of what is to be said on both sides of an important subject, yet they should not allow the tone of the newspaper to be lowered by permitting the paper to be the vehicle of that which cannot possibly be of benefit to its readers, such as insignificant twaddle and verbose nonsense , or defile it by that which only ministers to the viler propensities of human nature. Of course a newspaper is not to be dull ; and as regards many newspapers, a fair sprinkling of what is amusing and piquant is an indispensable accompaniment to the more subsiantial and more nourishing- mental diet. The abuse of power is an abomination, though it be exercised over the meanest creature that crawls upon the earth. POLITICAL UTTERANCES. Several notable politicians appear to have just given utterance to their opinions. Sir F. D. Bell at Invercargill, Mr George M'Lean at Waikouaiti, Mr Stout at Roslyn, and last, but not least, Sir George Grey appears to be still enunciating his views in the North. There seems good reason to suppose that the country is likely to benefit by Sir George Grey, with his vast colonial experience, taking an active part in politics. Whatever be the value of his opinions, we have good assurance they are given bona fide. He is in an independent position, and u.ider no temptation to curry favor with any Government or party. Moreover, his views appear to be rather democratic than the contrary. He is earnest in his advocacy of representative Government, as opposed to irresponsible Government of any kind, and seems strongly disposed to withstand attempts of the Home Government to snub the colony. For popular opinion Sir George has so much respect that there does not appear ground for apprehension that he will can obstructionist. He would only require that before any important -step is taken, such as that of abolition of Provincial Governments, the opinion of the people should be definitely and clearly expressed. It . is to be hoped, however, that Sir George will not allow his sympathy for Auckland, to induce him to lend his. influence towards depriving the Middle Island provinces of their land fund. As to the abolition of provincial institutions, Sir George Grey's opinions deserve at least much attention. This is a subject to ! which many of us do not see our way clearly. What was it that really induced Mr Yogel to propose the abolition of Provincial Governments? Notlnng else than a want of cash— a deficiency of funds for both the Works and Immigration scheme and for local works also. That is the whole gist of the matter. The continued application for cash by certain provinces, disgusted Mr Yogel. How altering the constitution will supply cash' for local 'works- is aoirj very apparent. What saving of expense, would result/; from the abolition i Provincial Governments ? ProN,^jiaL, Government officers wouldr probably be supplanted! by paid officials of the General- Government. The' fee? : is : the sooner we J put ; a stop- ; to I . 'Ms] juggleringisort of way bT going, on :th<£ oetter. Mr YogeT has all along been

! striving to do great works, and so manipulate the finances as to prevent the colony feeling the pressure of the expense. Yet tie country does feel it in a want of cash for local works. It is now very apparent that either by fresh taxes or by some other method the problem must be solved of how to find money for both great arterial works and local works also. Mr M*Lean is very severe on the provinces • talks of their log-rolling propensities, and says he "would not vote large sums of money to be handed over and spent without any one being responsible to Parliament for their proper use." Provincial Governments are, however, responsible for every penny they expend, and their accounts can always be supervised by Parliament, Moreover, there is good reason to suppose that most of the Provincial Governments economise their incomes better than the General Government does the funds at its disposal. Note for instance how the General Government has lately wasted money in pensioning off a number of the judges, several of whom were well able, and some desirous, to remain longer in harness. If the selving of a political opponent has been partially a motive for these changes among the judges, Government has been guilty of action deserving of very severe censure. The call for the abolition of Provincial Governments is a mere cry, arising out of the embarrasing character of the political or financial situation — viz, that of there not being funds enough for both arterial and local works. Will abolishing the provinces cure the evil? Suppose, instead of abolishing provincial institutions, we were to return to the old plan of allowing the provinces a proportionate part of the consolidated revenue. It is questionable whether this well settled arrangement ought ever to have been interfered with, It might have been better if the General Government had left the claims of the provinces on the consolidated revenue untouched, and -had borrowed what it required from time to for works and immigration, making the programme of works proportionate to the means at its disposal. That would have been adopting a plain and straight forward course, instead of the monetary resources of the colony being so dealt with as to leave the people in doubt as to the responsibility they were incurring, and with only an indistinct kuowledge of the real financial position of the colony. SLANG. In a late number of the ' Witness," I observe an extract from ' All the Year Round' on the derivation of slang terms. Among' others "crib." a houselodging or resting place for the night, is said to be derived from the Gaelic croibb, a tree ; whence tramps and vagrants sleeping beneath a tree might ! call it their croibb. or crib. I know not whether a word can b« called slang which appears in the Bible, but the word " crib " certainly does. See Job, chap, xxxix, v. 9 — " Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee or abide by thy crib?" Probably the unicorn here mentioned is the rhinocerous, as appears likely by the succeeding verses, which advert to forcing him to plough and harrow, &c.