Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

“The Press”

The Press, like most colonial newspapers, began in a modest way, and was started to oppose what was considered a growing spirit of extravagance in the administration of the province. Its chief promoter and subsequent proprietor was Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, one of the ablest thinkers, speakers, and writers associated with the history of New Zealand. The paper was placed under the editorship of Mr. Sale—now Professor of Classics in Otago University—an able writer and a man of the highest scholarship. Mr. Fitzgerald was a constant contributor, and before long became the sole proprietor, and practically editor. He continued to control the paper personally until 1867, when he accepted the position of Comptroller-General of the colony, and removed to Wellington. Mr. J. Colborne-Veel, who had been on the staff from the first, was then appointed editor, and continued to occupy that position, except for a short interval, until 1878, when he accepted an appointment under the North Canterbury Board of Education. He wrote with a bright as well as a telling pen, and was esteemed in journalism for scholarship, a sense of humour, an immense capacity for work, and sterling uprightness of character. In 1878 Mr. John Steele Guthrie, who had already filled in turn the posts of accountant, business-manager, and sub-editor, succeeded to the editorial chair. He occupied the position with an ever-increasing popularity and success until 1894, when, night work becoming too great a strain upon his health, he returned to the business-managership. He was succeeded as editor by Mr. W. H. Triggs, who still occupies the position. Mr. Guthrie's death early in 1900 ended the longest record of unbroken service on the literary staff, practically the whole of his life in the colony having been spent upon “The Press.” Mr. Guthrie was succeeded as manager, first by Mr. C. Hiorns, and subsequently by Mr. P. Selig. The Chairman of Directors is Mr. G. G. Stead.

The history of the paper is a continuous record of material progress. So successful was the enterprise at the start that after appearing for a time twice and then thrice a week, “The Press” was issued as a daily newspaper early in 1863. It was the first daily newspaper published in Canterbury, and also the first to reduce its price to one penny, a step which it took in 1879. The experiment was an entire success, and in 1887 a further step in advance was taken when “The Press” was enlarged to an eight-page penny paper. This last change necessitated the introduction of fresh machinery, and in that year the proprietors erected one of John Foster and Sons' new webb printing and folding machines. They also commenced the erection of the new and handsome premises in which “The Press,” “The Weekly Press,” and “Truth” are now published. Since then the growing circulation of the papers named has necessitated the purchase of another machine—a Goss “straight-line”—a fine example of the perfection to which the modern printing press has been brought.

As regards the literary and political conduct of the paper, “The Press” has been very fortunate in enlisting the services of the most talented writers in Canterbury. Such men as Fitzgerald, Sale, and Colborne-Veel would have given distinction to any newspaper, and among other notable contributors to its columns may be mentioned Mr. Samuel Butler, the author of “Erewhon,” the Hon. C. C. Bowen and the late Dean Jacobs. Portions of Mr. Butler's remarkable satire, which has become one of the classics of the age, first appeared in “The Press,” in the form of letters to the editor.

As for the policy of the paper, it has always taken a broad and liberal view of great questions, and has eschewed pettiness and parochialism, both in its news and in its views. It was a strenuous advocate of the self-reliant policy of Sir Frederick Weld, which resulted in the withdrawal of the Imperial troops at the time of the Maori war, and in the colony undertaking the responsibility of its own defence. It also advocated vigorously the abolition of the provinces; and the liberalisation of the colony's system of education has always been one of its strongest planks.

At the outbreak of the Transvaal war, indeed for some time before war was declared, “The Press” took up a very strong Imperial attitude. It was foremost in urging that New Zealand should send Contingents to take part in the war, and at the very outset pointed out that the safety of the Empire depended on the colonies rallying round the Mother Country in the crisis which had arisen. When the first two Contingents had been despatched by the Government, and there seemed a disposition to think that the colony had done its share. “The Press” vigorously urged that more men should be sent. By way of eliciting an expression of public opinion on the subject it invited those of its readers who agreed with its views to send in their names, and a contribution of one shilling a head to the “More Men Fund,” which was opened at the office of the paper. The result was unparalleled in the history of New Zealand journalism. In little more than three weeks no fewer than 13,000 names and shillings were received, the list occupying many columns of closely printed type. The paper also sent telegrams to all members of Parliament and to the Mayors throughout New Zealand, inviting their views on the subject, and the result was an overwhelming expression of opinion to the effect that more men should be sent. So great was the enthusiasm on the subject that the Third Contingent, which was at once formed, was equipped, horsed, and landed in South Africa by private subscription; other contingents were afterwards despatched by the Government as they were required. The money raised by the shilling subscription to the “More Men Fund” was principally devoted to the purchase of comforts for the New Zealanders in the field, and a contribution was also made to the “Patriotic Fund” for the benefit of the page 240 wounded and those dependent on them. A substantial parcel of comforts was sent to each individual member of the first four New Zealand Contingents, and included in each was a souvenir card, bearing an autograph message kindly furnished for the occasion by Lady Ranfurly. Special correspondents were sent to the scene of the war by “The Press,” working in conjunction with the “Otago Daily Times,” the “Wellington Post,” and the “New Zealand Herald.” This was a new feature in journalism so far as New Zealand papers were concerned. The same papers subsequently despatched Mr. Arthur Adams, a special correspondent, to the Far East, at the time of the outbreak of hostilities in China.