What goes up must come . . .

Sir-The remarks of Mr. G. J. Nesbitt in a recent Salient indicate only one major line of reasoning. He feels that a minority of Salient's staff in monopolising news-space with what he considers to be "dull and uninspiring" political comment. This he sees as wrong and would no doubt rather have it replaced with an open system whereby everybody has a say and all articles were printed without any constraint or control whatsoever. This is something which is impracticable and smacks of anarchy. Democracy, thank God, is able to provide its own controls.

Salient can pride itself on being a mature weekly newspaper comparing favourably with any other in N.Z. Like all democratic organisations Salient operates on a competative basis. It is simply because the reports of Owen Gager, James Mitchell, etc. have been of such importance and of such a high standard that they have been consistently published. I am sure that the editor of Salient would see to it that trash was not published. G. J. Nesbitt labels consistent reporting as "egotistical elevation". Does this show contempt for the present competitive ssytem? Does he shun democracy and its constraints? If Mr Nesbitt (obviously a frustrated fresher) were capable of writing such illuminating articles he would show no hesitation, I am quite positive, in having his reports published every week.

There is nothing wrong with Salient. I whole-heartedly endorse Mr Neil Wright's praise of editor Bill Logan at a recent Forum. A quick glance at Canta and Critic reveals Salient's reporting superiority. Congratula. tions Salient for enlightened, accurate and imaginative reportAs the father of 17 children once said,"It's simply a matter of keeping it up".