WELLINGTON JOURNALISM.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1956, 12 August 1869, Page 3

WELLINGTON JOURNALISM.

Writing on the above subject, the Frees says ; A Wellington journal regards itself, not as bound to have any definite opinions of its own, but as a medium for conveying to the public the opinions of others. Whose opinions, is not material. Its columns are open to anyone who chooses to take possession. First come, first served. The paper accordingly presents from year to year a very curious assortment of ideas. At one time it is engaged by Ministers, and the Ministerial policy is warmly advocated : at another it is taken up by the Opposition, and the Ministerial policy is as energetically condemned. It is a political caravanserai, where all find a lodging in turn—none stay long ; bait all while they stay are equally well 'served and equally welcome. For example, the Wellinfiton Independent was in the earlier part of 1856 a supporter of Mr Weld. When Mr Weld left office it began to give what is called a discriminating support to Mr Stafford ; nor was the epithet misplaced, for as Mr Stafford’s tenure of office grew more certain, so the support of the Independent grew moi’e decided. Last session, however, the Opposition were beforehand in securing the Independent , and Ministers were obliged to go to the house over the way, the Advertiser. During the whole session the two papers were like the committe-rooms of rival candidates in election time; teeming with manifestoes, squibs, paragraphs, and exchanging incessant broadsides of alternate chaff - and abase. How Mr Stafford and his colleagues used to catch jt in the Independent ! and how Messrs Fox, Yogel and Co. were held up to scorn in the Advertiser! But things have changed again this year, The Advertiser has failed, and Ministers— Ministers now, alas, no longer—have gone back to their old quarters in the Independent. That journal is now again Mr Stafford’s organ, and is doing its utmost on behalf of the very men and measures which last year it used to denounce three times a week as the utter ruin of the Colony. Mr Fox and his friends are compelled, faute de mienx, to betake them to the livening Post. It is a funny custom, and argues a somewhat obtuse perception of the objects and duties of journalism ; but it has this advantage, that the public get tolerably well informed as to the views of the contending parties. If one wants to know what the Government or the Opposition or about, one knows where to look. The newspaper article furnishes a very instructive supplement to the parliamentary speeches, and sometimes, perhaps, reveals a little more than is intended. Thus the Independents fervent appeals to the Colony to prosecute the Avar unsparingly, to push the Natives home, to root up the centres of rebellion, not to dream of holding its hand till the last spark of insurrection has been beaten out, all shoAv that such was the policy of the late Ministry. They may not have distinctly resolved on going such lengths; but that was the line they Avere taking, thejr general jdea of Avhat course it behoved the Colony to adopt. As to the intentions of the present Ministry, avc get a pregnant hint in a late number of the Evening Post. That journal, contrasting the policy of the past and present Governments, remarks that the former Avere bent on carrying on aggressive Avar, at a ruinous cost, without assistance from England j Avhereas the latter intend to maintain a “comparatively defensive” attitude “ until” the arrival of the English troops. The “until” is eminently suggestive. That one word lets us behind the scenes. It fully confirms the opinion Ave expressed before, that Mr Fox’s policy is at bottom as warlike as Mr Stafford’s, and that they only differ on the question of Avho shall do the fighting. It throws a significant light on the hint that the current year’s expenditure must not be taken as a basis for the next. It explains the announcement that the employment of English troops Avas a cardinal point in the Government policy; and the attempt the other day to inveigle the House, under plea of sudden emergency, into a resolution for retaining the troops in Ncav Zealand for a term of five years, Mr {’ox has no notion of continuing in an even comparatively defensive position longer than can bo helped. He is merely biding his opportunity. He is reserving his strength uoav that it maybe put forth the more vigorously Avheu the occasion senes. The economical expenditure—the cutting our coat according to our cloth—the reduction of operations—the action rather defensive than aggressive all these are for a time only. Let tire troops be obtained and the mask will be dropped ; then the wishes of the most strenuous advocate of Avar Avill bo amply gratified ;

then we shall go in for a new loan and unlimited expenditure, for conquest and confiscation and military settlement ; then hurrah for the policy of 186-1!