GREETINGS.

North Canterbury Gazette, Volume I, Issue 1, 12 August 1932, Page 6

GREETINGS.

—4 — — North Canterbury’s Welcome. Messages from Leaders of Public Opinion. A Warm But Embarrassing Reception. It is a great privilege to be able to make our bow to the public in such a chorus of encouragement and goodwill. If the volume of it has thrown our works out of gear,] the cordiality shows us where we stand and what' we must in conscience do. •

From THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE PRIME MINISTER: There are signs to-day of improving 'conditions in the economic position of the world, and a growing confidence in New Zealand based on the satisfactory outcome' of the Lausanne, Conference and a hardening tone in the market prices of some of our products. We may hope that the full depth of the depression has been reached and that we are now on the up-hill grade along the road leading to a better state of affairs. We trust that these indications will be happily confirmed by the events of the near future, and that progress towards recovery will be accelerated by the results of tlie Imperial Economic Conference now sitting a,t Ottawa and of the International Economic Conference which has been foreshadowed. We appear to be on the eve of a' brighter era, and before long should be able to rid ourselves of some of the hardships and bitter experiences that have been forced upon us during the past few years. I hope: that the primary producers of New Zealand, upon whom our national well-being so greatly depends, will deservedly share in any measure of returning prosperity, and that this message to the newly established newspaper in North Canterbury will prove a happy augury for the welfare and success of the journal., From THE HON. D. BUDDO, M.L.C.: I am pleased to learn of your intention to establish a newspaper in North Canterbury specially devoted to farming interests, and perhaps a few words of encouragement from one who spent many years farming in North Canterbury will not. he taken amiss by those who, I hope, will contribute to the success of your enterprise. The splendid fertility of Canterbury farms lias been somewhat reduced by the luxuriant crops of cereals and millions of fat stock exported, and the day has gone by when the farmer had only to tickle the ground with a plough and it would smile with a luxuriant harvest. Therefore, the publication of Lincoln College reports dealing with the application of science to assist the struggling farmer at this anxious period in farming history will no doubt be a bier feature in the columns devoted to primary produce, while the wider field of overseas markets will be summarised for the benefit of those concerned. Social news, I apprehend. will not be neglected, and the farmer’s wife and daughters .will he kept in touch with the local social round and the interests which centre, round. the knowledge of what their neighbours are doing and saying. The field is a big one, and farmers were never more jn need of knowledge and advice in modern methods of farming. If your columns are open to correspondents and their opinions, that will, I feel sure, he a substantial benefit to the tiller of the soil. The health and general prosperity of the district will always be your careful study, and the piiblic will get the benefit of the publicity tlie new journal will provide. I wish the new, venture every success and will follow its career with interest. From R. W. HAWKE, ESOL, M.P.: I am pleased to learn that you have decided to print and circulate a; paper from Ban giora to the people of North Canterbury- I feel sure that if you pay strict attention to details and publish matter of interest and of an educational nature with regard to farming pursuits, your paper will be much ’ sought after and appreciated by the farmers and other’s in the district. By so doing it will be possible to build up a circulation greatly m advance of anything in the past.

You have my heartiest I congratulations 'on your enterprise, and every good wish for the future. \ ' From W. A. ROWSE, ESQ., MAYOR OF RANGIORA: 1 , . v / : jl,: It gives me very much pleasure, on behalf of the residents of Rangiora, to wish your venture every success, and to welcome you and your family to Rangier a. I believe that a journal devoted to agricultural and pastoral matters will supply a. definite need, and 1 there is no doubt; that during these present difficult times, any information that; will help the farming community must help our country. As far as Rangiora is con - cerned, our interests are entirely hound up with the farming interests of this district, ; and anything that helps the farmers helps our own small community. You have, already earned the respect and goodwill of a large circle of the public through ’your associations in the newspaper world, and your work has been .appreciated by a large section of the Canterbury public. Rangiora is always ready to welcome men of standing in the community, and I trust that your sojourn with us will he a pleasant and profitable one. A paper such as you propose to conduct will mean a great ; deal of hard and careful work, aid as a journalist, I can appreciate a small part of your ities. I wish you every success, and look forward with interest to your publication, which I trust will have' the support of the farming and business community. From the REV. W. H. A. VICKERY, MAYOR OF KAIAPOI: Additions to families, already more than sufficiently large, are seldom met with profuse assurance of welcome; and, perhaps, a public, already groaning under a sufficiency of papers, magazines. etc., may be inclined to grumble at the advent of another. It has sometimes happened, however, that “the little stranger ” has brought such brightness with him that cokine-ss has rapidly given place to ! fondness; and, if doubtful glances should now he cast upon your new venture, we hope that the clouds will soon clear away and he exchanged for the light of undimmed public favour. The ministry of tlie Press and the ministry of the Pulpit have similar ends in view; hut they employ distinct means. II the pages of the Press can be charged with telling things they will be borne into regions whicl a preacher’s voice cannot reach, and spread them there. The times are searching and trying, but all the more interest attaches to every good work to which one has an opportunity of putting his hand. The engine that is kept going has a sweeter life aid a 'longer than the engine that is left to rust. ; We believe every effort will be made to make vour paper both [useful and profitable. Commercial considerations cannot be altogether' overlooked. We suggest that your pages should contain something for the old and something for the young, pit grave arguments • will alternate with easy narratives. Welteincerely express the hope that. Bmr project will meet with a grtltly extended circulation. From W. STALKER, ESQ.. CHAIRMAN, RANGIORA COUMY COUNCIL: I appreciate and welcome (.he fact that North Canterbury is.to have a newspaper of its own, printed and published in Rangiora , and devoted principally [to the interests of the farming community. The county which I represent is almost entirely a primary producing county, dairying, cropping, grazing, fruit growing, ami various other industries such as poultry farming, bee-keeping, etc., being carried on to a lesser

degree. A realise, therefore, that a newspaper can do much for a community such as ours, in the direction of bringing the country and town to realise the benefits of closer co-operation. Any movement which will benefit the farming community musi obviously he a benefit to the towns. I wish you every success in your enterprise. From F. L. PARNHAM, ESQ., CHAIRMAN, EYRE COUNTY COUNCIL: It is with pleasure that I avail, myself of this opportunity to wish you good luck in your venture. In common with all lovers of progress I recognise the important part that a newspaper can play in a community, whether for good or ill, and I feel assured] that, if the idea of service he the dominating factor, co-operation will he forthcoming. Although the city dailies have i large circulation throughout North Canterbury they of necessity cannot deal as fully with the local affairs of our country towns and districts as the residents desire, and there seems no good reason why an enterprising spirit should not be of real service in meeting that want. Having been associated with one of our leading dailies you should he conversant with the needs of both town and country, and by giving to the public of Rangiora and the surrounding districts the more detailed reports of the doings of local bodies, the markets—both local and city—sports, and the various associations, with particular reference to topics of interest to women, such as Women’s Institutes and Plunket Society matters, your paper can be of real service to the community. May you go- forward and prosper in upholding the best traditions of the Press. From JOHN WILSON, ESQ., CHAIRMAN ASHLEY COUNTY COUNCIL: I think the Ashley County ratepayers will be glad to see von firmly established in North Canterbury. It is certainly a very trying time for any fresh business to become established, and your courage in making the venture will he appreciated. Confidence of this kind will certainly heln the whole district. The Ashley County shows a diversity of interests, orchardist, farming and pastoral, and we may hope to stive and get useful information through your paper. Our scenic resorts and back country as far as Lees Valley are well known. I will close with the sincere wish that the residents of the County will give the “ North Canterbury Gazette ” the support; that your confidence merits. It is certainly fortunate for our district that a journalist "of your experience should settle among us. From COLIN McINTOSH. ESQ., J.P., PRESIDENT OF THE CANTERBURY BRANCH OF THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS’ UNION: Congratulations on your decision to establish the “ North Canterbury Gazette ” in Rangiora. True, a rose by any other name would be just as sweet, and although Canterbury is well supplied with the world’s news by the Christchurch dailies, there is no doubt that a local paper serves a useful purpose in any district. It is a means of supplying full reports and news of local interest, social functions, local body matters, etc., which would not find room in a paper of wider issue. A full report of local body meetings is very useful to those interested, as it is often the only means of knowing how our rulers are carrying out their duties. At these meetings, one is sometimes inclined to get “ off the rail ” and talk all sorts of nonsense, hut if the representative of the local paper is present, one is more careful and keeps to his subject. I remember on one occasion a member of a certain local body complaining bitterly that he was frequently misreported. The reporters were a little annoyed at the censure, and decided to report our friend verbatim. He was a man with a good supply of £ ‘h's” in Ibis vocabulary, hut he cT 1 net always have them well placed, and also had an unfortunate habit of repeating himself frequently. The result was disastrous to the unfortunate Councillor, who was not long in asking that, he he reported in the old .way. Yes, one in public life has much to thank the reporters of the Press for in trimming their utterances before publication. Lj wish the “North 'Canterbujfl Gazette ” every success, hope it will serve as us purpose to the community afl|||| predecessor.