CYNICS, COMEDIANS, AND OPTIMISTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3385, 28 November 1911, Page 8

CYNICS, COMEDIANS, AND OPTIMISTS.

THE FUNCTIONS OF THE PRESS.

A GOVERNOR’S OPINION

There was a big rally of country press representatives at the thirteeenth annual conference of the New South Wales Country Press Association which was opened by Sir William P. Cullen. The Lieutenant-Governor officially opened the proceedings, and in the course of a humorous, but congratulatory speech on the functions, influence and position of the newspaper press of today, remarked that pressmen played a very important part on the stage of contemporary history. He had little doubt that many public men would prefer sometimes to go on a long voy age to escape for a while their übiquitous censorship, hut the country itseif would he poorly served hut for their existence. and could not do without them; and modern civilisation would break down with the weight of its own tediousness . The press at times trifled with those in high places, and it preached to them, hut it was the boon companion of tlie general public. The press gave confidence and sympathy to those who had fallen on undeserved days of stress and sorrow, and filled a gap in modern life. It played the pipes while those in public positions danced; it mourned while they wept; and was at once tlie cynic, the comedian, the tragedian. and the optimist of modern life.