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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 11, Issue 9 (December 1, 1936)

“New Zealander's” Policy

“New Zealander's” Policy.

In announcing the change of management which occurred in 1865 the “New Zealander” said: “It is with Auckland that our interests and our sympathies are linked, and our ambition will be satisfied if we can do somewhat to assist the progress of the finest province in the finest island in the Southern Hemisphere.” At the time feeling between the North and the South was running very high, and the southern colonists doubtlessly thought that the “Aucklander” would have been a more fitting name than the “New Zealander,” especially as the paper was vigorously espousing the agitation for the political separation of the North from the South.

An incident which occurred in the course of the life of the “New Zealander” illustrates some of the difficulties under which our pioneer journalists had to work. A contributed article relating to the fighting at Gate Pa, gave considerable offence to the naval men stationed at Auckland, who page 44 page 45 thought their honour greatly tarnished by it. The result was the unexpected appearance before the office of the “New Zealander” of fifty sailors from H.M.S. Esk. They were armed with a strong hawser and this they passed in a front upstairs window, through the building, out a window at the back and over the roof to the front again. The sailors then demanded a complete retraction of the offending statement, failing which they threatened to overturn the building. It has often been stated that the sailors were successful in securing an apology. This, however, was not the case. A compromise was effected by the editor agreeing to publish the sailors' version of the disputed incident. A signed statement was accordingly supplied and the publication of this was the only approach to an apology that the paper made.

The “New Zealander” can claim the distinction of having introduced the steam-driven printing press to the colony. In its issue of 9th February, 1861—the first to be printed by steam—it said: “We are happy to say that the alteration from manual to steam power will enable us to throw off any quantity of impressions with the utmost facility and expediency.” The engine was of only two horse power, but it was a big improvement upon Falwasser's mangle. A comparison with the present day efficient cable service is afforded by the fact that the latest overseas intelligence in the issue of the “New Zealander” for 28th August, 1847, was dated 1st March.