Port Pirie Recorder and North Western Mail (SA : 1898 - 1918), Saturday 9 July 1898, page 2


THE PORT PIRIE RECORDER

Tuesday, July 9, 1898.

OURSELVES

The phenomenal expansion of the trade of Port Pirie, its rapid growth in population, and its far-reaching interests demanded better Press representation than it has had in the past.; Hence, the rise of the Recorder

on the ashes of the Advocate and Standard, papers which served their turn, and we hope did something to

advance the interests of the town

during the period of their existence. We don't intend to herald the advent of The Recorder by blowing our own bugle, nor with apologies for the imperfections which are always more or less apparent in a first issue. The paper is before the people, and they must form their own opinions con cerning it. Briefly, we may state that it is our intention to make the Recorder a paper not only for Port Pirie, but for the large and import ant agricultural area known as the North-West. Negotiations are in progress by means of which we hope to have trustworthy correspondents in every town this side of Petersburg, so that our readers may be kept in touch with the various parts of the district, the interests of which are more or less identical with those of Port Pirie. It will be our endeavour to serve the district by giving publicity to the events transpiring in it, reporting its meetings, and faithfully advocating its interests.

In politics the Recorder will be Liberal, but not revolutionary nor faddy. History teaches that reforms to be lasting must be gradual. Our social systems are far from perfect. There are wrongs that call loudly for redress, but the panacia for the ills which oppress the mass of humanity is not to be found in rash or violent legislation, which would disrupt present organizations -and probably bring in their train evils un dreamt of by their well-meaning but impetuous advocates. South Aus tralia's' future depends almost wholly upon the settlement of the land within her borders suited for agri culture by a comfortable, contented yeomanry, and to this end The

Recorder will bend its efforts to secure the repurchase at a valuation of some of the rich country now in the hands of the squatters. The opening up of the Booyoolie and

Willowie estates would be of incalculable benefit to this part of the colony, and we hope before long that steps will be taken to effect this object. It is by such means only that we can hope to re tain in our midst the sturdy sons of our agriculturists.

Before closing, we should like to thank our leading business men for the generous support they have ac corded, us in the matter of advertis ing, and trust that the bread thus cast upon the waters will return, to them before many days. We have gone to considerable expense in im porting from England the most im proved printing machinery, and,

without boasting, we think Port. Pirieans can now fairly claim to have one of the best-equipped provincial newspaper and printing offices in the colonies. Before a great period has elapsed we hope they will also be able to lay claim to having one of the best-conducted and most influential country newspapers.