JOURNALISTS.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3040, 12 November 1878, Page 1

JOURNALISTS.

Commenting upon Mr Tewsley'a recent reference to journalists, the Evening Chronicle, Wellington, says:—lf New Zealand journalists and their writings are the essence of blackguardism, it is remarkable what influence both possess with the great mass of the people. The Press could not command the confidence, and receive the support of the people unless it was true, honest, and just,—the denouncer of wrongs, the. exposer of abuses, the. protector of the weak, and the assailant of the strong-banded oppressor. That, with very few exception, journals in New Zealand do all this is generally acknowledged. And the colonists of New Zealand hare not beeu slow to acknovtu ledge (he able, zealous, and loyal serviced of their jounaiists. Journalists have been placed in the New Zealand Parliament. They have even achieved the Premiership and. held high office in more than one Ministry. Journalists in New Zealand have been appointed to the highest per- - manent offices in the gift of the State. i Alfred Domett was at one time a newspaper editor; so was William Fox, in his 1 palmiest days ; so was J. C. Richmond ; so was Sir Julius Vogel; so was John Williamson; so was Dr Evans; and the list could easily be multiplied. . All these men have achieved higft office. Alfred Domett, William Fox and Julius Vogel, have at one time or other been Premiers of the Ministry. J. C. Kiehraond was Native Minister; John Williamson was four times fleeted Superin. tendant of-Auckland. In the present, Ministry, we. might almost, say that at one time or other, Mr Stout, the Attorney- - General, and Col. Whitmore, have been journalists ; while the Colonial Treasurer, Mr Ballance, was for years a newspaper editor. Surely, oh most 1 wise and virtuous Tewsley, men who have achieved such honors as these through the suffrages of the people, must liave other and better stuff in them than " the essence of blackguardism and - (Continued, in Page 4.) .