To All Whom it may Concern.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 873, 26 August 1879, Page 2

To All Whom it may Concern.

We trust that what we are about to mention will be received m a tender and kindly spirit. It somewhat concerns ourselves. We discover, on looking over our free list, that there are about thirty papers delivered nightly to one or other of the Government offices, or to some " department." Now thirty Heralds, given away, means that nine thousand three hundred and ninety sheets of paper, which we have to pay for, is left yearly with those who pay nothing ; and really, putting the matter m the most dedicate manner it is possible to conceive, we cannot bring ourselves to see it any longer. In all the Government departments we have ever received the greatest civility and attention. We fully recognise these civilities and attions, but we have not brought ourselves to believe, nor shall we believe, that they are due to the gratuitous delivery of an evening journal. We have to pay for everything m connection with the publication of the Herald. Compositors, boys, telegrams, paper, ink, rent, rates, insurance, editor, accountant, reporter — all have to be paid, or there will be those who will know the reason why. Then, oh, gentle and considerate reader, why should we distribute, free, close upon ten thousand Heralds m the course Of a year without receiving payment. No, it will not gee, and after this week those who have had the Herald free will — apologising for the same — have them free no longer. Once more, m another little matter affecting ourselves. We do not know why it should be ; but it is so, clergymen look to have their weekly preachings and services advertised free of charge. Why this on their part, more than on the part of a tradesman or professional man we are unable to answer. Men do not give the kerosine nor the wicks which are required for the lamps to light the Church . Clergymen do not preach unless for a stipend. The bell-ringer looks for payment for ringing out the services, and the washerwomen for bleaching and starching the clergyman's surplice. No, we cannot see it m any light that will enable us to say why a newspaper proprietary is not to be paid for the use of its newspaper. And yet, once more : People rush into our office at the afternoon publishing hour, snatch up a paper and say " its only a penny— will pay to-morrow." Well the Herald is only a permy — but twice one are two and twice six are twelve, and so on. And if all the pennies which are promised to be paid " to-morrow," but which are not paid, were put out at compound inteiest for the proper number of years, they would make a globe of solid gold a good deal bigger than the earth, and then, if this is so, as of course it is, see what would be the consequence. We have arrived at the same conclution that the general public has done. This is, that the Herald is cheap at a penny, and m future the permy — again apologising most humbly — the penny we mean to have, and nothing short of it.