THE H.B. TRIBUNE. MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1910. THE TRIBUNE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 1, 12 December 1910, Page 7

THE H.B. TRIBUNE. MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1910. THE TRIBUNE.

iWhat is its policy ? Is it going to Support the Government or the Oilposition I What are its views on licensing matters ? These are, amongst others, questions which naturally arise on the publication of a new paper. Holding. as we do, that development of the individual should be our ultimate aim and object, it follows that we must judge the merits of every proposal of universal importance from that standpoint. The question must always be "'does it promote or does it retard the main object of existence ?” , It is in answering this question that we require the collective wisdom and experience of the past and of the present. We must study the history of the past and compare it with the circumsta.iee-s of the present without overlooking the altered conditions of tne limes. We must bear in mind that a course of action which could only have resulted in 4 disaster centuries ago might to-day—owing to human progress—be productive of nothing but good. On the same grounds we must allow that that which in its nature is good, is not necessarily best adapted to the circumstances of the moment. As the wise parent scrutinizes and not infrequently refuses the demands of the child so must we scrutinize and, if need be. suppress our own desires—honest though they may be —if not in keeping with the needs of the time. We have in mind tjre Socialistic movement : a movement inspired by the finest sentiment and supported I y 'many great-hearted men and women whose strongest feelings are those of love for their fellows, and whose main desire is justice for all.

And yet, admire their sentiments -as we must, could we wisely give effect to their wishes 1 Not until men will freely co-operate, without thought of self, without coercion from Government; not until they are prepared to concede to others the same freedom and justice they claim for themselves ; r.ot until men have acquired perfect self-control and are prepared to do right for right’s sake ; not until men become as gods, can the dream of the Socialist be realised. We believe that the Socialist movement : should first be directed towards ./he

regeneration of the individual, to-| .wards the making of better menj and women. The betterment of <tommunity will naturally follow that of the individual: any attempt; to reverse the process must 'ail. ■ We believe that the conditions best calculated to encourage the growth of the individual are those whicn give the greatest measure of freedom (with its accompanying responsibility) provided always that the exercise of that freedom does not hamper the lioerty of others. We hold that political wisdom consists not in the making of laws, but rather in seeking how the making of laws may be avoided. If a people is corrupt and immoral, no amount of law-making will improve it. Regeneration must come from within, . through the individualist: through, 7 individual regeneration will come the reorganisation of society, and not through the operation of man-made laws. From the foregoing it will be gathered that we stand for broad general principles, and that we do not tie ourselves to any political party. We believe that the columns of a newspaper should be a medium for the free discussion of subjects of general and of local interest : that they should be open to all, without reserve, so long as there is anything to be said worth the saying. There are many problems to be ■worked out which can only I e solved by the free expression of contending views. The opportunity for such expression it will always be our pleasure to afford : it matters not who is the author of those views, whether he be a rich man cr whether he be a poor man, we promise him equal courtesy and consideration. As the Tribunes in ancient Rome were appointed to see justice done, so will it be alwavs our endeavour to secure equal treatment for all. In this we shall hope to have the goodwill and support of every right minded man and woman.