Journalistic Bunkum.

Fair Play, Volume I, Issue 26, 1 October 1894, Page 18

Journalistic Bunkum.

The proposed Bank amalgamation afforded magnificent opportunity for the exhibition of editorial infallibility, which was “worked for all it was worth.” The privilege of “ looking wise” and “ singing wondrous small”—which so often carries oracular mediocrities through a tight place—being denied to those compelled to express themselves in printand brevity on so important a subject as. finance being infra Mg , and open to the suspicion of ignorance, the subject was tackled with an energy and skill calculated to rouse the envy of Investors'-lieview-Wilson. The prolix emanations of financial jargon and obscurity, however satisfactory to the editorial mind and to the wire-pullers who inspired them, failed to enlighten the public as to how the scheme would affect the welfare of the country, or to acquaint them as to what increased responsibility would be involved. It is, however, generally felt that the Press are totally absolved of any attempt at deception, and the futility of expecting any clearer light on the subject from that source thoroughly recognised. A feeling of apprehension and alarm respecting the ultimate results of an operation so important and intricate arose; not so much from any distrust of eithercontracting party, as from inability of the public to grasp the subject in all its details,-.and the knowledge that their chosen representatives are, with few exceptions, in a somewhat similar position. That the necessity for the recent Bank legislation must have been known and arranged for by the whole, or a section of the Cabinet long before it was burst upon the country, is now an established fact, which accounts for the strenuous efforts made by the Government to obtain the return of certain members whose sole qualifications now seem to have been their blind adherence to party and ignorance of finance. These impressions, co-relating with the expressed desire of the Bank experts to obtain release from the Globo Assets Company, and considered in connection with the anxiety displayed and pressure used to push the Land for Settlement Bill through, is at once significant and ominous. The extraordinary favour with which the Capitalistic Press regarded the scheihe," and the marked care taken to pbint out that the - “ultimate responsibility for the Estates Company must rest with .the Colony,” offered, confirmation of the worst suspicions. Considerable uneasiness Was felt throughout the colony respecting the proposed transaction, and the aoclamation.with which the House received, the news of its being “off” forthis session,, adequately expressed Ihe sense of relief fche intiffiation affbtded the general public.