A JOURNALISTS’ GIFT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16569, 5 June 1914, Page 7

A JOURNALISTS’ GIFT.

SILVER SERVICE TO RETIRING EDITOR. MR S. SAUNDERS ENTERTAINED. A COMPLIMENTARY GATHERING. Journalists of all political shades met yesterday afternoon in the Cadena tearooms to make a parting gift to Mr Samuel Saunders, editor of the “Lyttelton Times,” who has completed twenty-seven years of continuous service on the newspaper, and has occupied the editorial chair for the last; twenty-three years. The gathering waa unique from a journalistic point of view, being representative of the whole provmco. ’ '■ ] Afternoon tea was the forerunner of the formal part of the _ proceedings, and it was much appreciated by the ladies, who almost outnumbered the men. Mr W. H. Triggs, editor of the “ Press,” presided, and with him at the top table were Mrs Trigg6 and Mr and Mrs Saunders. THE CHAIRMAN’S SPEECH. FRIENDLY OPPONENTS. Mr Triggs said that there were still those persons who thought that because politicians were on different sides of the House they ought to have no friendly relations with one another. When those persons read a leading article in the "Times” containing a ferocious onslaught on the “Press,” and when they saw the "Press” 'trying to find the "soft answer that turneth away wrath,” they expected that the editors when they met would pass each other with a scowl, and that it was quit© right that they should do so. However, politics would bo a very poor thing and journalism a very poor profession to belong to if because of a difference on matters of opinion its representatives could not pass a friendly word and cherish no bitterness in their hearts. About ten years ago, when in England, ho had spent an interesting afternoon with Mr Joseph Chamberlain, and in the course of conversation it came out that though the speaker was strongly opposed to the late Mr Seddon in local politics lie had a great admiration for liim as an Imperialist, and that personally thev were on good relations. Mr Chamberlain said: “That is quite right; I am glad to hear it. Toll me, is it the usual rule for politicians on opposite sides of the House still to maintain their private friendship.” He told Mr Chamberlain that there wero many instances in his own knowledge, and the great British statesman said lie was exceedingly pleased to hear it. It had been so in England, but recently many old friendships had been broken on account of the feeling aroused in regard to tariff reform. Tlie last thing Mr Chamberlain said was, " Give my love to Mr Seddon when you get back.” Ho was sure that Mr Seddon was'pleased to receive it none tho less because it came through a political opponent. “1 am glad to say,” Mr Triggs continued, "that during the long years, wo have, known each other tho private friendship between Mr Saunders anl myself lias never been broken. (Hoar, hear.) Wo have had our differences of opinion. I have no doubt that wo arc fully conscious of each cither’s infirmities and iniquities in the matter of political controversy, and we have managed to keep good friends personally. You can understand, therefore, that when it was arranged that tlie journalists of Canterbury should make a presentation to Mr Saunders as a mark of esteem and regard, and asked me to make it, I looked on it as a great compliment, and it gave me a great deal of pleasure to be able to discharge that task. It would be presumptuous if I were to refer to Mr Saunders’s ability as a journalist. It is stated that Sir Carruthers Gould and Mr Spender, editors of the ‘ Westminster Gazette,’ were tho two greatest assets of the Liberal Party in England. I have no doubt in. saying that Mr Saunders is one of tho greatest assets to the party to which he belongs, and which he has so loyally supported in this country. (Applause.) He is now laying down the pen for a time, and I daro say, after long years of toil, it i# a relief to do so ; but I cannot help feeling that he will not bo allowed to remain in retirement for long, and that his friends will insist on his ajnin coming into the fight on their behalf.” "It is not as a party politician or journalist we have met Mr Saunders,” tho chairman continued. “Wo are here to show our esteem and regard cn account of his service to the profession as a whole and to express our appreciation of him as a man (hear, hear) always keen to uphold its traditions and its welfare, and I am sure that every member of his staff has found him a true friend. It may surprise tlie public to know that editors are human. As you all know, Mr Sau?iders has a very human and kind-heart-ed side of his character. Many instances of kindnesses he has don o'have come to my knowledge from persons he has helped. I feel that I could dwell on this subject, but I will say that, outside of journalism, there are many people, especially among the poorer classes, who will deeply regret his departure.” (Hear, hear.) THE TRIBUTE OF THE STAFF.

Mr W. G. Atack, editor of the “Canterbury Times,” who had been asked by the committee to speak on behalf of the “ Lyttelton Times ” staffs, said that lie doubted whether he could do justice to the task. If one wanted to know a person thoroughly one must live with him. It might aJso be said that when one had worked alongside a man year after year one learned a little of his character that was not known to the general public. If lie wero asked to name the outstanding virtuo of Mr Saunders, he would say that it was his unfailing kindness of heart. (Applause.) That was well known to all who had served under him, and when other people were in trouble, whether trouble of their own seeking or trouble over which they had no control, Mr Saunders was always there to help them along. In fact, many people might regard this virtue as a falling. Whenever any man had been in trouble Mr Saunders’s sympathetic ear had been listening to the appeal, and he had never been found wanting. In his long association with Mr Saunders he had never known an appeal by any member of the staff to fail. Junior reporters, whose most evident characteristic was lack cf respect for those above them, knew Mr Saunders ns “ Father Sam,” and and it was said in no disrespectful spirit. They lecognised his paternal feeling and reciprocated it to the best of their ability and did all they could in tho interests of the staff on acoount of that feeling. Mr Saunders was most loyal to his colleagues. They had all esteemed him for liis brilliant qualities as a journalist and recognised in him a man of far-seeing knowledge in the manner in which he treated all the questions of the day. The staff regretted his withdrawal from the <■ Lyttelton Times,” and would missthe wise counsel that was always there when it was wanted. “During the years of my association with Mr Saundera in the strenuous times of many years ago,” Sir At-aek concluded, “ ho was always there with advice and support and it was a great thing to know that we had a solid, strong dependable man like Mr Saundeiß at the sack of us. It is said that he intends to continue in the profession in another part of the dominion and if ho ~ does-so the beat wishes will follow him flj

it he will live long to oocupy the .ition he has so ably filled during term of office in Christchurch.” pplause.) (■; COUNTRY JOURNALISTS. Hr Robert Bell, of Ashburton, who ike on behalf of country journalists, d that he was in a predicament, betide not only was the guest a journalic friend but also a closo personal end of long standing, and it was ther difficult to tell his friend what thought of him. He could heartily ank Hr Saunders for the manner in lich he had always treated liim when had gone for help. Time and again had had to telegraph to Mr Saunds in the early days to borrow a man, d he seemed to have one in his wnistat pocket ready to catch the next aim Perhaps he would be allowed say a few words as a. journalistic tend. He had a very high opinion "the abilities of Mr Saunders as an iitor. Indeed, the manner in which > had conducted tho “ Lyttelton

mes ” for the last twenty-three years towed him io bo somewhat of a atesman. (Hear, hear.) Ho would it claim for Mr Saunders that like )hn Delano, the famous editor of the radon “ Times,” he made and unmade inistries, but he would claim that any a man who had climbed to abinot rank in the administration of ew Zealand during the last twenty ;ars owed his position to the influence .Mr Saunders. (Hear, hear.) He id not claim that like David Sym.e,

the Melbourne “ Age,” Mr . Saunders ad conducted the Government of the Duntry by newspaper, but he did aim that* he had helped to shape the olicy of tho Liberal Administrations iroughout the years they were in ffice and had left his imprint on the iws of the country. At.the present me Mr Saunders was the “ Lyttelton Imcs” and had made the “Lyttelton Imes,” the great exponent of Liberal, regressive and humanitarian legislator! in New Zealand. (Applause.) . . THE PRESENTATION. Mr Triggs then asked Mr Saunders’s cceptanco of the journalists’ gift, vhich consisted of an oak canteen conaining a set of solid silver table-ware, i’he canteen had a silver plate bearing lie following inscription:—“ Presented ,o Mr Samuel Saunders on his retirenent from the editorship of ‘ The Lytelton Times’ after twenty-seven years’ lervico, by the journalists of Cantermry as a token of their esteem and egard. June 4, 1914.” With the plate Mr Triggs said it vas intended to give a character study ;f Mr Saunders by Mr Kennaway. Phis was not quite ready but when completed, arrangements would be made to live the sketch on exhibition. “It gives me great pleasure to make this presentation,” said Mr Triggs. “ One thing that you may feel proud of is that journalists of all shades of opinion, and from all parts of Canterbury, have joined in it most enthusiastically. We desire to associate Mrs Saunders in this presentation because she has been a help to you not only in your work but in those many acts of kindness to which reference has been made. Wo wish you both many years of happiness.” Tho gift was accompanied by three hearty cheers for Mr and Mrs Saunders, and when Mr Saunders rose to reply he had an ovation. THE GUEST IN REPLY.

Mr Saunders said that he had often envied Mr. Tnggs many of his qualities as a man (and a journalist), but at tliat moment he envied him nothing more than his ready speech, so that ho might express, in something like adequate terms, his appreciation of tho kindness shown him that afternoon and throughout his long residence in Christchurch. But if he failed to say what he would like to sav they would understand what 1m felt. He did not deserve a tenth of the good things said of him, but if there was a time when a man could bear a good deal of flattery without suffering much harm, it was when ho was parting, as he was, with the associations of a working life-time, and going out into the world to make new friends and seek something of a new career. He had been rooted to the same spot for a very long time—possibly too long for his material interests. It was twenty-eight years ago almost to the day when Mr William Reeves invited him to take a position on the staff of the “Lyttelton Times.” In those days ho was averse to change as he was now, and following his first impulse, ho declined the invitation. However. Mr Reeves was a man who had the habit of getting what he wanted, and as he imagined he wanted what he was seeking in this instance he eventually got it. At that time he was engaged in journalism in Ashburton, and when he came to town all his friends told him that he was making a great mistake, just as they were telling him now when he was going away from town,. Ho had had no reason to regret tho change, however, except the rather Irish reason that if he had not made good friends in Christchurch he would riot havo had the pain of parting with them now. However, the intervening years had been worth while. At the time he joined the staff. Mr Saunders continued, there was no Journalists’ Union and no Arbitration Act. The race was not to the swift but to the enduring. Of course he did not approve of its state of affairs any more then than ho did now, but being one of the enduring sort he got his opportunity in lifo comparatively early. A year or so ago he had road in the journal of the Journalists’ Institute a biography of himself in which the writer said that ho was doing passably well in the “ Lyttelton Times,” considering that he bad stepued straight into the editor’s chair._ (Laughter.) That was Very kind of his friend, whoever he may havo been, but as a matter of fact he did not sten straight into the editor’s chair. During the four years and a half in which he was reaching that goal he did almost everything a newspaper man could do—he was sporting editor, general reporter, agricultural reporter, and even musical critic, a position lie was particularly well qualified to fill, because he had never learned a note of music in his fife. (Laughter.) Afterwards ho was sub-editor and casual leader-writer. Down in Ashburton ho had done even more, sometimes picking up type, turning the. handle of the printing machine, keeping accounts, collecting—but very little (laughter)—and doing a good deal of canvassing. Ultimately Jie reached the editor's chair, and soon how little he knew about journalism and how much he owed to his good friends and good luck. Now he 1 was going away from the editor’s chair—of tho “Lyttelton Times,” at any rate—and in the years to come one of hie most pleasant recollections would be. the twenty-eight years spent among his good friends here. Whether he took up one of Mr Massey’s twentv-five acre blocks of kauri-gum land (laughter), or whether his particular friend Mr Herries would give him a job on tho railways as a crossingkeeper (renewed laughter), he would always look back with the keenest pleasure to tho years lie had spent in Christchurch. “ My future is by no means settled, as one of tho previous speakers implied it was,” Mr Saunders , continued. 11 However, I am always an optimist and I havo no fears for the future, and l dare say that those who are anxious about me now will find that I shall drop down on my feet .somewhere.” (Applause.) ‘ Continuing, Mr Saunders said that he was extremely gratified hy the reference to Mrs Saunders. To r woman, a parting such as they were making was much more painful than to « mere man. He would like to say for Mrs Saunders and the members of I his family that though they saw the i seriousness of dragging up the roots of j thirty years’ growth, they had never

hesitated one moment about the course he was taking. (Hoar, hear.) He was not going to get on dangerous ground, but he would like to say, as there had been strange rumours about, that thenhad been nothing approaching a quarrel between tho “ Lyttelton. Times ” proprietors and himself. Simply he had reached a place where he thought it was his duty to move on, and following tho example of much greater men ho had moved on. His directors were the best friends ho had in the world, and ho sincerely hoped that the policy of the paper, which had commander! tho approval of a great section of tho community, would be continued as it had been going on during tho years in which he had occupied tbo chair, and that the gentleman succeeding him 'would bo iust as earnest in his desire to maintain that policy, and would maintain it with as much ability as the speakers had been good enough to attribute to him. lie could hardly express his gratitude to Mr Triggs for his kindness not only that afternoon but throughout his stay in Christchurch. Ho had come up from Ashburton a raw young fellow, thinking ho knew a good deal more about journalism than ho really did, but Mr Triggs and others had received him ns a friend and an equal, and had given him all tho assistance they could give him. Whether ho went to the plot of kauri land or tho railway crossing the great tribute that had been paid to him that afternoon would be an encouragement and inspiration to him in tho years to .come. He was not going to say good-bye to them just then. In a little more than a fortnight ho would bo leaving Christchurch, and possibly before . then he would bo able to announce whether if was to be the kauri land, the railway crossing, or journalism. He thanked them very heartily. (Applause.) A few apologies for absence were received. They included tho following letter from Mr Cutlibert East, editor of the Timaru “Post”: —“ Timaru journalists deeply regret that the call of duty prevents their attendance at tho presentation to Mr Saunders. They assure him of their keen sense of the loss sustained by Canterbury journalism through his retirement from tho post lie has filled so long and ably and wish him many more years of successful service in the profession he adorns.” THE SALESMEN’S TRIBUTE. Last evening Mr S. Saunders was. entertained by the members of the publishing staff of the “Lyttelton Times.” Mr T. Robson occupied the chair and there was a large gathering of the newspaper’s salesmen, who expressed in very warm terms their appreciation of Mr Saunders’s personal characteristics and editorial achievement’s. The proceedings had an exceptionally cordial tone throughout. Mr Robson said that tho salesmen of the “Lyttelton Times” had known in Mr Saunders a very capable editor and a very good friend. They had seen him produce, over a long period of years, a newspaper they were proud to sell, and they had been made to feel all the time that ho was keenly interested in their welfare and had their interests at heart. They knew there were not many houses in Christchurch that did not expect to receive the “Lyttelton Times” every morning, and' they were well aware how intimately that fact was associated with their guest’s occupation of the editorial chair. Mr Saunders had proved himself on many occasions a true friend to tho members of tho publishing staff, and every man present that evening wished him all possible success and happiness in the future. After Mr Saunders’s health had been drunk enthusiastically, Mr DV. Atkinson said all the newspaper salesmen realised they owed what success they had achieved to Mr Saunders, who had made it possible for them to “deliver the goods.” Tho working men of Canterbury had realised that Dir Saunders was their good friend, and it was with very deep regret indeed that the publishing staff would see him vacato the chair lie had filled long and honourably. no lvould take with him good wishes and sincere admiration. Mr A. M’Entce said that the “ Lyttelton Times” had been looked upon as a newspaper the workers could trust, and tho reason for that feeling was to be found in Mr Saunders’s fairness and broad humanity. The retiring editor had tried always to give everybody a square deal—a real square deal —and the workers had realised that fact. Messrs J. Strachan, E. Shelton, G. Gerard and F. Watts spoke in a similar strain.

Dir Robson then presented Dfr Saunders with a weighty purse of sovereigns on behalf of the publishing staff for tho purchase of a gift to keep the staff in mind, and hearty • cheers were given for Dfr Saunders, Dlrs Saunders and the D 1 isses Saunders.

Mr Saunders thanked the gathering warmly for the generous tributes paid to the* “ Lyttelton Times” and to himself, and for the gift. He appreciated the kindness shown him more highly than he could express, ho said, and would always have the happiest memories of his association with the “ Lyttelton Times ” salesmen, who played a very important part in winning success for* the newspaper. It had been a great joy to him to work with loyal, earnest colleagues of the kind he saw around him. Dir Saunders narrated some of liis early experiences in tho service of the “Lyttelton Times,” and in conclusion proposed tlie health of the newspaper’s salesmen. Mr Atkinson replied and the toast of “The Chairman” brought the proceedings to a close.