MODERN JOURNALISM AND THE WAR SCARE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14978, 26 April 1909, Page 8

MODERN JOURNALISM AND THE WAR SCARE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —As an Englishman who hast studied Home politics, I should like to! know why your democratic paper bases its opinion so readily on extracts from the British Conservative Press. Yott will agree that the present Liberal Government at Home, with all it* faults, is the most progressive that Britain has ever had, and yet you aro; applauding the impetuous Dread*.! nought action of Sir J. Ward, whicli action, by the way, tho Home Conser-j vatives are using. for party purposes to] oust your fellow British Liberals at next general election. It seems to me; inconsistent, whichever point of viewone takes, but I conclude yon hav« other interests to serve rather than' those of the general public welfare. The “ Daily Mai] ” and Associated. Newspapers, Ltd., are, as you know, booming the play called “ An English* man’s Home” for all they are worth, and thereby creating another periodic cal naval scare. New Zealand’readers will do well to remember that this powerful and unscrupulous newspaper combine, of which Lord Northcliffe (Mr A. C-. Harmsworth) is the head, and which id stirring up strife with Germany just now, has attacked almost every civi* : Used country in turn. Speaking- of Germany early iu 1903, Mr Harms-' worth said: “Yes, we detest the Ger* mans cordially. I would not tolerate that anyone shonld print in my jour-, nals .the least thing that might to-day; wound France, but, on the other, hand, I would not like anyone to in-* sert anything that could please Germany.” Now, compare this statement! with the following, from the same jour-' nal, mark you, concerning France. “The French,” said the “ Daily Mail,”' “ have succeeded in thoroughly convincing John Bull that they are hia inveterate enemies. England has long hesitated between France and Germany, but she has always respected the German, character, whereas she has gradually come to feel a contempt for France. But enough of France; she has neither courage, foresight nor. sense of humour,” Regarding America the same paper stated iu January, 1907, that “ the Geneva arbitration proved that in dealing with America, we were not dealing with a civilised Power.” _ 1 Well, now, what do you think of it?/ Is not this European firebrand a menace to international peace? Wlien B realise, that this very company had toi pay £50,000 to Mr W. H. Lever, ofj Port Sunlight, for libel, and are still* being prosecuted by other British firms for damages, it amazes' me that tha New Zealand Liberal Press should b« so carried away by patriotism of this) pestilential type. With regard to tho attitude of the churches on tills Dreadnought question, surely the disciples of Jesus Christ should know before anyone else whether or no this war dance is right. If it is, a collection in the churches for the purchase of one or two warships should not be out of, place. If, on the other hand, it is not] in accordance with the Master’s teaching, then denounce it from the platform and ’pulpit. lam thankful to know that tho Revs W. J. Closs and W. Sinclair are opposed to it, but) whether they will be sufficient to saver' the city remains a question. As for, the high priests, if nothing comes of] their battleship enthusiasm, perhaps! an unfettered and impartial Press] would he worthy of their concentratedefforts to secure.—l am, etc., H. SPENCER MOTT.