THE “UNFRIENDLY” ROAD

Evening Star, Issue 22636, 30 April 1937, Page 8

THE “UNFRIENDLY” ROAD

CHURCH MAGAZINE DEFENDS PRESS HIGH STANDARD OF DOMINION DAILIES [Per United Press Association.] HAMILTON, April 30. In the editorial of this month’s Waikato Diocesan Magazine criticism is voiced at the attack on the Press by Mr Scrimgeour. “ By comparison with many of the ‘ dailies ’ and ‘ weeklies ’ published in England, the newspapers of New Zealand are of a very high standard. They are .surprisingly free from that cheap sensationalism which characterises so many of those papers to which wo have already referred. One or two ‘ weeklies ’ in New Zealand have, it is true, built up a large circulation through frank (but far from indecent) discussion and the reporting of police court news, but in so doing they render a real public service. A sense of shame is often tbo strongest deterrent to people who cannot respond to less painful treatment, and the publication of this class of 1 news ’ but confirms the Scriptural statement ‘ for nothing is secret that shall not bo known and come abroad.’

u Therefore we entirely fail to appreciate even the truth, let alone the advisability, of the attack which the ‘ Rev.’ C. G. Scrirogeour launched against the Press of New Zealand. So far as the publication of religious matters is concerned, principal daily papers of New Zealand are most generous. Furthermore, they hold the balance very fairly between the various denominations, and we have nothing but gratitude to express for this fair and courteous treatment. Were this not an editorial, but rather an expression of the personal opinion of the writer, we should have something to sav about ‘ flabby indefiniteness ’ of this new cult known as the 1 Friendly Road,’ from which has emanated this most unfriendly and vicious attack upon those who without any mouthing of the word ‘ friendly ’ have at least shown themselves to be friendly towards all that is for tlie general good of the people of the Dominion.”