The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1908. OURSELVES.

Gisborne Times, 17 October 1908, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1908. OURSELVES.

There is fortunately no need of an apology for the change of stylo that is apparent in to-day’s issue of the “Times.” It is one of the inevitable signs of progress,having been bi-ought about by the increasing demands upon our space by advertisers who find the popxdar morning daily an indispensable medium for the promotion of their business interests. This, according to the inevitable working of cause and effect, has been induced by the remarkable manner in which this journal has established itself in public favor since the present proprietary assumed control a little over two years ago. Advertisements have crowded in until, in order to keep faith with our readers, and to continue to place before them each morning a complete and accurate account of the world’s doings, and also of local affairs, w T e find it necessary to- considerably enlarge our journal. Whilst taking this step, it may not be out of place to state that this extension is but an instalment of what is contemplated, for as soon as a new printing machine, already ordered from England, arrives, it is our intention to issue a still larger paper than that which is presented for the first time this morning. The opportunity may also be taken of thanking the people of Gisborne and Poverty Bay for the cordial manner in which our past efforts to cater for their requirements have been met. We have endeavored to be something more than a newspaper: we have endeavored to guide public opinion in the direction that has appeared to us to be in the best interests of the district and for the ultimate welfare of the Dominion. Any project making for the benefit of the community lias always had our whole-hearted support, but where an individual, or any group of individuals, have taken action of any kind that aopeared tc us

our journalistic objective, and wherever we find a condition of affairs in which the many are imperilled for the benefit of the few, we shall not hesitate to speak out and, in speaking, to use suclx words as cannot be misunderstood. This quality of outspokenness has at times brought down upon us showers of abuse from those, affected by our criticisms, and even,! our friends have occasionally hinted] that more moderate censure would! possibly suffice and at the same time conserve our relations with some of our advertisers. To this there can be] only one reply—What is right canno be too ably supported, and what h wrong cannot be too strongly con demned. Here and there our polio of keen, straightforward criticism ha offended some to the extent that the have withdrawn their adveitisementj Almost invariably such advertise! find their business interests so prej| dicially affected' that they gladly r new tlieir contracts after a elioi lapse of time, but, in any case, sat events have never had the slighte effect upon the paper’s policy. Mor over, despite the fears of some of ox timorous friends, the logic of even is entirely with us in this matter, fj the rapid increase in our circulate is an obvious manifestation that t| public desires in the public press

expression, of opinion, the value which is never discounted by subs< vience to any sjiecial interests. Tlj is a reputation which wo shall c< tinue to deserve in the future at t

same time that we shall, through ..medium of our correspondence

um'n, give the freest play to t

who wish to give public expression! their own views on matters of gf era! interest. As a news journal | ‘ ‘Times” will continue to bo condif ed on up-to-date lines, and in t|

way'we hope to retain the fullest cfl fidenee of the‘people in.their nioi ing paper. - |