An Enniskillen and Fermanagh dispatch from Australia

Melbourne is certainly in need of a new daily newspaper which will reflect public opinion faithfully, and cater adequately to the wants of its reading public.

It is not well served. Its two daily newspapers are badly printed, give only meagre accounts of the Irish horrors, and while they give a column and a half to a game of football, devote only a few lines to the atrocities committed in Ireland.

An unseen hand paralyses the editorial columns.

Leading articles do not reflect the opinion of loyal Melbourne, and when others were afraid to do it, I had to castigate the leading so-called Protestant paper for its abandonment of duty as an organ of public opinion, from the platform, and was warmly supported by the applause of the meeting.

The paper excludes what is material, acts (to my mind) very partially in suppression of what I hold to be the truth, gives space to the interesting game of schoolboys, and has none to afford to the greater affairs of life.

The result was that at one private meeting at which I was present, it was proposed that £100,000 be raised to found another newspaper.

The Impartial reporter is conducted on very different lines from the Melbourne papers.

It will be seen, therefore, that during my stay of one month I came into touch with various phases of Victorian life – a vigorous, pulsating life; one of high ideals and of lofty honour and great activity – perhaps too great activity in the pursuit of pecuniary wealth – one result of which that only too many people have ‘nerves’.

There are many nervy people, so hot is the pace, yet not as hot as the American pace.

I felt the strain myself when I was pressed into the swim of things with numerous engagements, and had occasionally to see rest in day time.

I was not merely in touch with Fermanagh people, but with leaders of thought in this great city.

It was at some convenience and personal pecuniary loss that I stayed longer in Melbourne than originally contemplated, in response to a generous courtesy and hospitality of which I had never seen the like, from every circle of society.