CORRESPONDENCE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11252, 10 May 1904, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE.

The Responsibility of Writers. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Those who write for, or to, newspapers should i'eel conscientiously justified in that their written ideas are given expression to for the benefit of their fellows an d not for the gratiiication of any personal end or aim. Tins dictum applies with more or less force to editors and journalists than to occasional correspondents. For the journalist should have a larger sense of responsibility, and because of that responsibility | should not allow anything but well rbi'iu>M out reasoning, based upon just iirinc iplrr>, to be printed. Many readers of newspi'prrb are dependent upon leader witters for the convictions formed, and to many the particular conviction, is as it has been placed thMe by such writer. A true and unbiassed fc-timato ol the utterances of reformers, etc,., is expected from leader writers, and not a verjuiced condemnation from a too limited, mental radhis. - Calm and dispassionate criticism, and a reason for or against such conclusions as is presented by the critic, to his readers is absolutely essential if truth is to be established. If the foregoing is a reasonable and just conception, then the leader, or leaders, as appearing in the Chronicle, are grossly flagrant breaches of journalistic good taste. I regret that such a. statement is necessary, but to "play to the gallery," or "pander to the prejudiced crowd," as was done in those articles, instead of a lucid exponure'of error, where erior appeared in the lecture delivered by Mr Wilson, shows a lamentable deficiency of those characteristics which at all times should be the saving- grace of intelligent and calf respecting journalists, and gentlemen. A deserved rebuke, is not properly administered by vituperation and vulgar abuse or sneering references, and for any decent joi/rnal to allow its leading columns to be filled with coarse vulgarity such as that referred to, is j)ositively an insult to itn readers. The Socialist lecturer deserves considerate treatment, whether his statements are true or false, and their truth or falsity made manifest. Instead of this we have without any foundation or warrant each disparaging inuendoes as thio "Socialistic Solomon" loud voiced agitator, which well deserves- the .term village-minJ-edness as applied by the lecturer. The indirect appeal of the leader writer to the bigotry of religious inteleranti whose shiboleth is attacked, io exactly parallel to that of the Arab zealot who raises the green flag, or the Thibetan. Lama, whose praying which, is touch, desecrated as he would term it. Any philosophy, theology or other mental institution that cannot be.ir discriminating analysis and that has such defenders as the leader writer referred t.o has not much chance of permanence or car. humanity have much to lean on when the tactics usual -among heathens ace neceseary to maintain it in its placo in the sympathies aitid affection of its devotees. The lecturer is not perfect (who is?). He has a me.-'sage, a gospel if you will, and one that appeals to all, as it is no respecter of persons. The lecturer is an evolutionist. The evolutionary theory is not accepted by or acceptable to all socialists. The lecturer is not a Christian. The Christian religion is accepted by many if not most socialists, but socialism is* so misrepresented and misunderstood that until there is a more generally intelligent compreh^nson of its principles, not much headway will be made. But as the sun dispels the darkne&s and intelligence ignorance, so wilr socialism dothrone the present-day selfish individualism or capitalism, and establish itself upon the enduring basis 1 of love, which includes all the princiDles for which Christ lived and died. I would like to say, in conclusion, both to leader writers atnd others, that disparagement never yet -helped on a good causS: Whether the Socialist lecturer promulgates true or false teaching is for those wh'Aiear to judge, and not- to be dependent on the individually prejudiced judgment of others. Every man should judge, for himself; each man should have a mind of his own. • God help the community composed of individuals who allow others to think and form judgments for them. "Let states that aim at greatness, take heed how their nobility 1 and 'gentlemen do multiply too fast. For that makotli the common subject crrow to be a peasant and base swain, driven out of hea<rt, and in effect but the wentlDman'fJ labourer." — T am, etc., "NIL SINK NITMIS 1-"

The military judges for the quickstep competition at the Marton Band Contest on Thursday afternoon arc SergeantsMajor Andorson, Burr and , Peacock, of Wanganni. Two volumes of Sir Walter Buller's 'book ou "The Birds of New Zealand" realised JGIO at the sale of Mrs Thomas Reid's j furniture and effects. A large number of local residents intend patronising the Band Contest at Marton, which commences -to-morrow evening. Excursion fares will, be issued by the Bailway Department, iind to enable Wanganni music enthusiasts to witness the quickstep competition, which takes place on Thursday afternoon, local business people have promised to close Ilioir premises sharp at 12 noon. In this connection it is well to remember that Ilarton people observed a close holiday mi the occasion of the last Wanganui A. and P. Show, and the small concession jtfered by Wanganui storekeepers is v.-.ii undeserved. The last has not liven heard of the "Ark," for Mr Pel it Tanner left by the midday train to-dry for Terawhiti, with the object of emu uvouring to float the barrel craft, wlich lies on the beach. Should he succeed in his task, he will make a iinal effort to round Terawhiti, keeping close in shore to avoid the tide rip in the Straits. Mr Tanner iB hopeful of succeeding, as his only chance of recouping himßelf for the expense he has been put to in building and provisioning the Ark lies in his effort to reach Wellington proving successful, unless, indeed, sympathising friends come to the -rescue. The King has once more exercised that gift of tact which he possesses in so exceptional a. degree, and has once more used it in the cause of peace and goodwill. By His Majesty's command his private secretary (Lord Knollys) addressed to the London, representative of the 'Jfexies "Wiener Tagblatt' the following letter — he had forwarded to His Majesty a copy of a telegram which had appeared in hs paper, Btating that it 1 was the .King's earnest desire that the, press of all countries should unite at the present time in promoting goodwill among the nations: — "Sir, — I have had the honour of submitting your letter and enclosure to the King. I am commanded to inform you, in reply, that His Majesty attaches much importance to the tone adopted by the press of the various countries at the present juncture, and he was, therefore, gfad to read the telegram which you sent on Tuesday last to the *Nenes Wiener Tagblatt.' — I am, etc., Knollys.' Will Experiment No More. — "One of our boys is rather delicate and subject to contracting croup and colds very easily," says John Congdon, Havelock, N.Z. "We have experimented with many kinds of cough mixtures, but have had such splendid results from using Chamberlain's Cough Remedy that we now use it exclusively. We have never had a case that it did not cure promptly and effectively. Undoubtedly it is the best cough remedy in the market." There is no better medicine made for badies than Chamberlain's Cough Remedy. It not only cures croup, but when given as soon as the croupy cough appears will prevent attack. For sale by the U.F.C.A., F. L. Spurdle and John T. Cooch, Wauganui.