“THE LYTTELTON TIMES.”

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12398, 11 January 1901, Page 6

“THE LYTTELTON TIMES.”

Wk need offer no apology for giving ourselves some prominence in these columns to-day. This is the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of the “Lyttelton Times,” and it is, of course, extremely gratifying to us that the journal founded with such high hope, in the very beginning of the Canterbury vSettleraenb, has reached its jubilee without in any sense waxing old as a garment, to be folded up and changed. The story of its early years and of its progress is told elsewhere; how it was established as a necessary institution and as an important part of the Settlement itseir, how it took up the cause of tire people, even in that day, and how it has remained -true to its principles ,aa,d

faith ever since. It has not been given to -many of the journals of -the young colony to live and thrive through all these years, and no other, we believe, has retained its original name for half-a-oentury. The occasion of its jubilee, is one of mo small importance in the history of colonial journalism, and to-day, appropriately enough, finds its principles tiiumphant throughout the length and breadth of the land. Fifty years ago its influence was confined to the little community of three or four thousand souls who clustered) round on this side and that of the Lyttelton hills; to-day it is regarded from the North Cape to the Bluff as the representative organ of progressive thought. More than any other newspaper in the colony, we honestly believe, it has satisfied the double demand of good journalism, that it should both reflect and shape public opinion. It has ever been preparing the ground for the sower and sowing for the reaper to reap.. Circumstances have demanded, at times,, that the “Lyttelton Times” should be aggressive as well as progressive. It could not lag behind in the race. It has run, not as uncertainly, and fought, not as one that beateth the air. If, in the day of small things, its boldness alarmed the more timid of its readers, the flight of time has found them entering into its labours, and we can only read its present popularity as a proof that the community an general has recognised the value of its services and the soundness of its- judgment. No one now questions the wisdom of the sturdy little - band of public men who* carried! through the Lyttelton tunnel scheme to a successful issue, and it seems strange to us that a work so necessary to the development of the province could have been seriously opposed even in those days. Yet, in the beginning, Mr Sefton Moorhouse and his friends stood practically alone, and had it not been for the strenuous aid of the “Lyttelton Times,’’ experienced even then in political battle, the work would assuredly have been delayed for a decade or more. There is no need to marvel at the achievements c.f this journalistic bantling. It had the field practically to itself, and tjie men who directed its policy came to -the battle fully prepared. They saw in this new land a splendid opportunity for the practice of the democratic principles which the conservatism of the Old Land rejected. They had knowledge and) the gift of tongues, and, above all, unswerving' faith. To them the colony owes its representative Government, its early freedom from the galling chains of “foreign” rule.

In later years the “ Lyttelton Times ” had to take sides on another great colonial! question. This time it had to face the charge of cowardice and conservatism', for it upheld the provincial system, in face of the storm of popular opinion. But the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. We realise now how heavy a price Canterbury was destined to pay for the change, and how serious and lasting the loss was to be; and from the colonial standpoint the journal was wise in its * generation, for we are surely going hack to some system" of local government, similar in power and' scope, if not in actual form, to the old order. Beaten, but not disgraced, the “ Lyttelton Times ” set itself deliberately, and with intent, to build up a Canterbury united in' spirit and in sentiment, and! the general election of 1893 brought the full consummation of its labours. There is little need to speak of its later triumphs. The workers ox the colony know how much they owe to its firm advocacy of their rights, the women know the power of its friendship, and the children are gathering the fruit 0$ its labours. The land question is not yet settled, but the new century finds the colony rapidly applying the principles which the “ Lyttelton Times ” is proud to have called its own. We know, too, that the people are watching, in earnest expectation that the good works of the past will not be without parallel in the future. There is still much to be accomplished in the way of political and constitutional reform before the democratic ideal can, be reached. Many longneglected social problems, too, are crying out for solution, but the Statute Book shows that we have accomplished much. It would be idle tc. claim that we have fought single-handed, but the public know that we have always been on the side of true progress, and that, politically, our record is not air unworthy one.

When our readers examine the little facsimile of the first number of the “Lyttelton Times” which we present to them this morning, they will be struck, we are sure, by the splendid beginning the journal made. Yet, comparing it with the regular issue of the day,'they will realise how the circumstances of colonial journalism have changed in the half-century. We .have moved with the times. The first subeditor plied Ifis scissors in search of outside news, and there were few local incidents to be chronicled. The readers of the fifties and sixties had leisure to digest long and heavy articles. To-day the public demand the cream of the news of all countries at all costs, and with ail speed. We are not counted unsuccessful in supplying our readers’ wants in this direction. The men who shaped the journal in times past knew well that neither literary flavour nor soundness of political policy would sell their paper. We cannot but take the large and growing daily circulation as a proof that our news is as fresh and full as our politics are acceptable to the community. Some reference is made in another column to the growth of the business enterprise and the vicissitudes of fortune that befel the paper as a commercial undertaking, hut to-day we may fairly claim that the “Lyttelton Times” is an institution that is in every way creditable to the province and the colony. We will surely be forgiven, at this point, a departure from the impersonal tone we have adopted, in order to pay a tribute to the two men to whom the paper owes so much of its success, and the colony so much of its progress. Both are dead — Crosbie Ward, boldest of advocates, keenest of fighters, sharpest of wits, and best of journalists! William Reeves, firmest of allies, most consistent of politicians, shrewdest and strongest of managers, and kindliest of men! Who would not be proud to follow in their footsteps, to enter into their heritage? They made the “ Lyttelton Times ” what it is, the guide, the friend and the faithful servant of the people. In their hands it reproved the unfruitful works of darkness, and walked honestly, as iu the day. We can ask lor no better fortune than to continue the jvork th,ey began.