Editors of Judgment and Vision

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21647, 13 November 1933, Page 6 (Supplement)

Editors of Judgment and Vision

IN its choice of editors the Nkw Zkat,and Hkrai.d has been singularly fortunate, for the successive occupants of the chair have been men of ability, judgment and vision, to whom the sustained success of the journal over 70 years is largely due. Although the first 12 years brought four changes in the editorship, the Hkrai.d has had only eight editors. The first editor was Mr. David Burn, who had previously been on the staff of the New Zealandcr. The instant attention won by tho Jlkram) for its outspoken attitude toward the great questions of lbO.'i, particularly the necessity for ending the native troubles without delay, indicated tho forcefulness of Mr. Hum's pen. Unfortunately, ill-health compelled him to relinquish his duties before the close of tho year. Mr. F. J. Von Stunner, one of two colonising sons of Mr. F. W. Von Stunner, Rector of Jleapham, England, succeeded Mr. Burn. lie continued as editor for ten years, conducting tho Hkrai.d successfully during a decade meinorablo for its political changes and perplexing problems, upon the wise solution of which the future welfare of the country depended. On his retirement Mr. R. J. Croighton, once part-owner and editor of the Southern Cross, became editor, and on his departure for San Francisco shortly afterward the chair was filled by Mr. James Brown, llis term, too, was short, but his editorial writings were notable for their vigour. The longest term as editor was reserved for Mr. William Berry, who succeeded to the oflioo in 1875, and continued in it until his death in 190.'i. For 28 years he devoted his exceptional talents to tho task of placing the Hkrai.d nnchallengeably in the leading place among the newspapers of tho Dominion, and tho period of his editorship coincided with a general advancement in news presentation methods. His varied experiences as a journalist were supplemented by

a wide knowledge of tlie country and its polities, of the Maoris and their language, and of Auckland and its local affairs. Mr. Berry's editorship began shortly beforo the partnership of Wilson and Horton and the amalgamation of the Herald and the Southern Cross. After the latter event Mr. I). M. Luckie, editor of the Southern Cross, was associated for some time with Mr. Berry in the editorship of the Herald. Mr. Luikie was one of the leading figures in New Zealand journalism, and his political articles in particular were widely read. Shortly after leaving the Heuai.d Mr. Luckie became Commissioner of the Government Life Insurance Department, but lie always retained a very keen interest in journalism. There was also associated with Mr. Berry for various periods of his editorship Mr. G. M. Heed, whose " Calamo Currente " and " Colonus " columns enjoyed a wide popularity. At one time prominent in the Presbyterian ministry in Victoria and later a member of Parliament in Queensland, Mr. Reed became interested in newspaper work in New Zealand in 1870. Ho was appointed editor of the Otago Daily Times in 1878, and did brilliant work for the New Zealand Herald during the " eighties." Acting for a time as the Herald's London correspondent, Mr. Peed, in conjunction with the lato Mr. A. G. Horton, started the AngloNew Zealatuler, which was subsequently amalgamated with the British-Australasian. He becamo editor of the Auckland Evening Bell, now defunct, in 1886, but left three years later to edit the short-lived Melbourne Evening Standard. After a period with the Sydney Morning Herald as leader-writer, Mr. Peed returned to Auckland in 1895, and from then until his death in 1898 was again a valued member of tho New Zealand lleuald staff. On the death of Mr. Berry in 1903. Mr. W. S. Douglas, then night-editor, became editor, an office he held until his death on October 2,