SA Newspapers: Political

This newspaper was started by a group of gentlemen when the Adelaide Independent ceased. The newspaper saw itself as in competition with the South Australian Register. It claimed to be the ‘only liberal portion of the press’ in Adelaide at that time. (18 August 1842, p. 2) Dr Richard Penny ('Vox Populi') was the outspoken editor, assisted by fellow doctors Litchfield, and Edward Davy. The newspaper was unable to survive beyond eighteen months. While it lasted, the twice-weekly newspaper published strongly-worded opinions about a range of topics and people in early Adelaide. It provides a fascinating alternative press commentary. It was purchased by John Stephens as the basis for his successful Adelaide Observer newspaper.

The Adelaide Morning Chronicle was published specifically as a voice in support of state aid to churches. It was begun by the draper Andrew Murray when his previous newspaper, the South Australian, went broke. It had backing from a group of pastoralists. The newspaper particularly provided a voice for the influential Anglican section of the Adelaide community. Opposition opinions were voiced by the Non-Conformist churches in their newspaper, the Austral Examiner. The Adelaide Morning Chronicle was of a sufficient standard to be seen as competition to the South Australian Register. The newspaper ceased in early 1853 largely through the economic effects of the Victorian gold rush. Murray had left for the goldfields in September 1852 and went on to work for the Melbourne Argus, where he assisted his sister-in-law, Catherine Helen Spence, to have her work published. The plant of this newspaper was purchased by JH Barrow and a few years later used to establish his newspaper, the South Australian Advertiser.

This was a sensational weekly tabloid newspaper. Its editorials voiced strong conservative opinions in support of the White Australia policy. The newspaper also contained a large amount of sport, including horse racing, football, cricket and boxing. At least a whole page each week was devoted to articles and advertising for JC Williamson shows at the Theatre Royal, and films at Wests'. Regular historical articles concentrated on crime stories of nineteenth century South Australia. Hal Gye was the cartoonist for the newspaper

There was intense debate in Australia over conscription during the First World War. Twice Prime Minister Billy Hughes attempted to force the issue to be passed, but both times referendums on the issue failed. In 1917, prior to the second referendum, the local branch of the Australian Labor Party printed this newspaper

The Australian Star was an 'independent' newspaper founded in 1878 by Henry Allerdale Grainger and William Watson. Grainger worked as a journalist in America before coming to Adelaide, and was later elected to the South Australian Parliament. He used the paper to express his views on protectionism, employer liability and restricted Chinese immigration.

The Border Watch is South Australia's oldest country newspaper still in publication. It was also the first newspaper in South Australia run by a woman, being established in 1861 by Janet Laurie, with her teenage sons Andrew and James. The poet Adam Lindsay Gordon was a friend of the first editor, John Watson, and Gordon's poems appeared in early issues. The Border Watch contained an impressive political commentary throughout Watson’s editorship in the nineteenth century. Three generations of the Laurie and Watson families had run the newspaper at the time that the firm was sold to the South East Telecasters company in 1977. In recent years the newspaper received some publicity through being purchased by millionaire truck driver Allan Scott. Scott died in 2009.

The Challenger newspaper was owned and edited by Mrs Rebecca McGregor, and published in Port Lincoln. Mrs McGregor and her sons owned the West Coast Recorder. It is a fascinating and outspoken socialist newspaper, produced at the height of the Great Depression. Both as a country newspaper and as a political voice, it is unique. The Challenger provided forthright opinions about a range of local, state and federal issues. The newspaper's title with its image of a knight on horseback set the tone. As well as fulsome political critiques, the Challenger contained news for Port Lincoln and the adjacent towns of Lock, Kimba, Wudinna and Tumby Bay. Social events were described alongside long columns reporting the activities of the local branches of the Labor Party, Country Party, and Liberal and Country League. The rifle club was well reported, along with church news, sports results, school news and obituaries.

City and country was the third short-lived newspaper established by land agent and politician, Ebenezer Ward, and the contents initially reflected his interest in land reform, education and agriculture. The newspaper lapsed after four months, was reinstated in a different format in January 1882, and horseracing became the main focus. The final issue was published by Charles McMullen, and contained a statement that Mr Ward had sold his interest in the newspaper and that in future it would be titled South Australian Times.

This newspaper was the official organ of the National Defence League, a conservative political group. It was run by prolific activist, Thomas Harry.

This was a small political magazine produced by itinerant journalist, George Isaacs.

This was a short-lived satirical journal published by EJ McAlister and FW Kennedy. Concentrating on political criticism, the journal also covered theatre reviews and horse racing.

The South Australian branch of the Labor Party took a risk in 1910 by turning its Weekly Herald into the Daily Herald. This was Australia’s first metropolitan daily Labor newspaper. Engaging with industrial issues and adopting a genuinely socialist stance, it was a stark contrast to the two relatively conservative Adelaide morning newspapers. Job printing for the trade unions helped the Herald to make ends meet, but competition from the News contributed to its eventual closure.

This is an interesting newspaper promoting the cause of Australian primary producers. It was also the organ of the Aborigines' Protection League, and contains lengthy discussions about the need for greater support for the Aboriginal people. The newspaper also espoused strong Christian and Socialist views.

This was a weekly handwritten newsletter published by men of German background interred on Torrens Island during the First World War. There were three issues. The camp on Torrens Island contained 300 men. Under the strict supervision of Major Hawkes they were not allowed access to newspapers. The third issue refers to two re-captured escapees being flogged, which later brought an official enquiry into Major Hawkes’ running of the camp. As a result the camp was closed in August 1915, the prisoners being transferred to Holdsworthy camp near Liverpool in New South Wales. The title Kamerad translates as ‘Comrade’ or ‘Mate’. The editor was a young man named Walter Emde. The newsletters include articles, some fine drawings of the camp and inmates, humour and comic songs, and advertisements for the makeshift shops in the camp.

This was the newspaper of the local branch of the International Workers of the World, also known as the Industrial Workers of the World, a radical labour movement. The organisation was founded in Chicago in 1905 but by the 1920s had been hounded out of existence in America. In Australia branches continued to be active for a long period after this time.

This newspaper was started by a group of gentlemen when the Adelaide Independent ceased. The newspaper saw itself as in competition with the South Australian Register. It claimed to be the ‘only liberal portion of the press’ in Adelaide at that time. (18 August 1842, p. 2) Dr Richard Penny ('Vox Populi') was the outspoken editor, assisted by fellow doctors Litchfield, and Edward Davy. The newspaper was unable to survive beyond eighteen months. While it lasted, the twice-weekly newspaper published strongly-worded opinions about a range of topics and people in early Adelaide. It provides a fascinating alternative press commentary.

This was a short-lived weekly newspaper published during the Victorian Gold rush, out of Wiggs' Booksellers in Rundle Street. The newspaper gives much attention to the 1853 parliamentary election which led to the framing of the South Australian. Other topics discussed include Aboriginal legal rights. The newspaper believed English law did not take account of traditional Aboriginal law. Ultimately Adelaide was not large enough for the Examiner to compete with the Register or the other morning daily, the Adelaide Times. This was the first Adelaide newspaper to be corporately owned, by a group of prominent businessmen. The owners transferred their investment by purchasing the flourishing South Australian Register. (Adelaide Times, 9 July 1853, p. 2)

Ebenezer Ward MP published this newspaper, continuing his earlier Northern Guardian. Ward was mostly editor and leader writer. His own political activities were fully covered together with less favourable reports of his opponents, particularly James Boucaut. The focus was also on agricultural matters. In 1874 columns included the memoirs of a police trooper ('Mike O'Reilly') and the satirical series 'How South Australia is governed' as well as articles about pastoralists such as Thomas Elder and Thomas Hardy. From 1876 wood-cut illustrations of local scenes were included. Later the newspaper contained mostly advertisements.

This newspaper seems to have been published as a supplement to the Ukranian community's Yednist newspaper. Its aim was to expose the 'dangers' of Communism, particularly as this existed in the Soviet Union at this period.

This newspaper was published by Ebenezer Ward, a colourful 19th century politician, who was however, a firm advocate for the farmers he represented. Ward was elected MP for Gumeracha in 1870, and started the Gumeracha Guardian in that year. The title changed when he moved the newspaper to Clare. Ward advocated radical land reforms to allow more working men to become land owners.

This newspaper was published by Ebenezer Ward, a colourful 19th century politician, who was a firm advocate for the farmers he represented. Ward was elected MP for Gumeracha in 1870, and started this newspaper in that year. He advocated radical land reforms to allow more working men to become land owners. Geographical coverage is particularly strong for Gumeracha and Tungkillo, although news also appears from many of the adjacent towns.

This was the organ of the Labor and Union movement in South Australia. The newspaper contained reports of the labour organisations and political commentary. It also covered sport, literature, and the theatre. Special contributors included Catherine Helen Spence and Otto Tepper. The newspaper was so successful that in 1910 it became Australia's only daily Labour newspaper.

Under various titles the South Australian Branch of the Australian Labor Party and its predecessors have published a newspaper since 1894.

This was an extreme left-wing newspaper published as a vehicle for the International Industrial Workers, a ‘revolutionary Labor movement.’ The first issue stated, ‘We are out to destroy the capitalist state.’ (February 1920, p. 2) Many articles discuss the Russian political situation. There is discussion about the formation of the ‘One Big Union’ and the plight of twelve IWW members sent to Long Bay Prison for a supposed arson attack in Sydney. Local news includes coverage of unrest amongst soldier settlers and unionists at Glossop Soldier Settlement. Only nine issues of the newspaper seem to have been published.

The Kapunda Herald was founded by Charles Barton of the Tanunda Deutsche Zeitung. Two months later he sold to the printers James Elliott and James Scandrett. For almost 90 years the Kapunda Herald was a quality country newspaper, printing news reports from the myriad of tiny settlements stretching across the lower and mid-north of South Australia. It also published interesting political commentary. Until 1918 when the Angaston Leader began, it was the only English language newspaper for the Barossa Valley and Murray flats. Between 1903 and 1911, the Herald was also unique as a country newspaper with a pictorial supplement. In 1951 the newspaper was merged with the Barossa News to become the Barossa and Light Herald.

This was the official newspaper of the South Australian Labor Party.

This is the official newspaper of the South Australian Branch of the Australian Labor Party.

This newspaper was published by the school teacher Charles Drummond to support working men's movements in Adelaide, including the Eight Hours campaign. Apart from editorials supporting the labour movement, it contains two interesting columns. 'The 'bus papers' by Vulcan, and 'Irregular jottings' by A Working Man are interesting commentaries of the period. It followed in the footsteps of the earlier Labour Star, of which no copies have survived.

This was a comic journal commenting on current issues and prominent figures of the day. Political figures were the major target. Sport and the theatre also received regular coverage. In 1875 and 1876 the paper printed the Licensed Victuallers' Advertiser as a supplement. The first editor was the lawyer and politician George Stevenson, son of the first editor of the Register. Early cartoonists included Alfred Clint, John Hood and JH Parr. Samuel Calvert was the engraver. In 1881 a new format was taken as the Adelaide Bulletin and Lantern, modelled perhaps on the Sydney Bulletin. This contained more serious articles and no cartoons. But from July 1882 the Lantern was re-issued in its old format. In 1884 the paper absorbed Adelaide Punch. In 1890 the Lantern itself was absorbed by a new venture, Quiz, which became the state's longest running comic paper.

In its early years this newspaper covered news from the myriad of tiny settlements of the ‘Murray electorate’, and gave a particular emphasis to sport. During the First World War it was a vehemently patriotic and anti-‘German’ voice, attacking many of the local people descended from German pioneers. The newspaper closed in 1917. Eighty years later the title was revived as the Mannum news page of the Murray Valley Standard.

This small religious newspaper was the work of the gifted but unbalanced lawyer, Paris Nesbit. With his sister Agnes Benham, he was interested in the 'new thought' movement of the 1890s, with its socialism and sexual reform. Benham contributed book reviews and articles on religious topics. Poems by local and other contributors featured largely, particularly in the early years. Nesbit took a strong political stance, advocating the nationalising of the legal profession to enable access for the poor. He also suggested divorce law reform and more employment opportunities for women. The newspaper was strongly against the 'White Australia' policy. After four months Nesbit handed the editorship to the John Newton Wood, who took an interest in spiritualism and vegetarianism. The final issue discusses socialism and the Broken Hill strikes. It includes an article about effective voting by Catherine Helen Spence.

This was the newspaper of the National party of South Australia, a break away group from the Labor Party. It was largely devoted to politics, but included agricultural and gardening sections, and a children's page by 'Uncle Harry'.

This was a radical political reform newspaper. In particular, its editor and supporters followed the socialist land ownership (land nationalisation) views of the American Henry George. The Hungarian Jew, Ignatius Singer, was editor, with support from a number of Adelaide’s political thinkers including Henry Taylor of the New Australia movement (and later editor of the Renmark Pioneer), the jeweller and political economist LH Berens, James Sellar of the National Reform Association, and the early country newspaper entrepreneur Lester Judell.

The word 'pasquin' refers to a lampoon, or satire, but also to criticism or protest against a government. This journal was owned and largely written (in its first two years) by Eustace Mitford. Mitford was a keen critic of Adelaide society and politics, usually through allegory. He also wrote about colonial literature, the theatre and horse-racing. Such was the admiration for his work that the journal was reprinted in London in 1882. The original journal included cartoon supplements. Three of these cartoons are held in the State Library pictorial collection.

This newspaper was established as an outspoken and blatant competitor to the Petersburg (Peterborough) Times. It was very political, being strongly conservative, anti-Labor and anti-socialist. News items from adjacent towns occasionally appeared, including Yongala, Terowie and Burra. There was also regular church news and sports reports. William Myers and Walter Wade were the proprietors.

This newspaper was published in the interests of the Single Tax League. It promoted land ownership reforms with the intention of supporting farmers. Harry Taylor seems to have been involved in the newspaper. The Pioneer ceased with the founding of The Voice newspaper by John Medway Day, which promoted similar reforms.

The Portonian was founded by the eccentric South African Duncan Moodie. The intention was to provide a news reporting forum for Port Adelaide. However, most space was given to criticising the South Australian Parliament. Politicians, including local M.P. John Hart, religious leaders and the governor were targeted. The journalist Spencer Skipper wrote for the Portonian and John Eden Savill ('Cerberus') provided cartoons. The Portonian articles were of a high quality and Savill's political cartoons were a major attraction. (Some of these were re-published as a book.) W. Pyndar Willis was a later cartoonist. South African news filled the columns later, in particular news of the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. The Portonian ceased without notice in May 1879.

This was a small comic paper founded by the cartoonist Jeffery Bruer when the long-running Lantern ceased. Besides cartoons, there was some coverage of sport and the theatre, and the usual satirical/political comment found in most 19th century comic papers. Bruer initially drew the front page portraits and the main cartoon himself, while the unsigned inside double page montage of the week's events is in the style of Ambrose Dyson's work for the Critic. Quilp seems to have ceased in 1891. In 1897 Bruer was contributing cartoons for the first issues of the Critic newspaper.

Quiz was founded by Harry Evans and Alfred Chandler, two Advertiser journalists. The pair purchased the old satirical comic paper, the Lantern, as the basis for their venture. Harry Craker, James Hutchison and Alfred Smith were also involved in the publication. Quiz appealed to the new, more educated readers of late nineteenth century Adelaide. It mixed political and social comment with cartoons and quips, sports and theatre reporting, and snippets of social news. The tone was light and racy, and at the proprietors twice found themselves in court for libel over less flattering reports of theatre performers. By 1898 Quiz included photographs, including sporting photographs. In 1914 Quiz combined with the Sporting Life newspaper. In its final years the journal concentrated increasingly on sports reporting, particularly horse racing.

Quiz was founded by Harry Evans and Alfred Chandler, two Advertiser journalists. The pair purchased the old satirical comic paper, the Lantern, as the basis for their venture. Harry Craker, James Hutchison and Alfred Smith were also involved in the publication. Quiz appealed to the new, more educated readers of late nineteenth century Adelaide. It mixed political and social comment with cartoons and quips, sports and theatre reporting, and snippets of social news. The tone was light and racy, and at the proprietors twice found themselves in court for libel over less flattering reports of theatre performers. By 1898 Quiz included photographs, including sporting photographs. In 1914 Quiz combined with the Sporting Life newspaper. In its final years the journal concentrated increasingly on sports reporting, particularly horse racing.

Quiz was founded by Harry Evans and Alfred Chandler, two Advertiser journalists. The pair purchased the old satirical comic paper, the Lantern, as the basis for their venture. Harry Craker, James Hutchison and Alfred Smith were also involved in the publication. Quiz appealed to the new, more educated readers of late nineteenth century Adelaide. It mixed political and social comment with cartoons and quips, sports and theatre reporting, and snippets of social news. The tone was light and racy, and at the proprietors twice found themselves in court for libel over less flattering reports of theatre performers. By 1898 Quiz included photographs, including sporting photographs. In 1914 Quiz combined with the Sporting Life newspaper. In its final years the journal concentrated increasingly on sports reporting, particularly horse racing.

Quiz was founded by Harry Evans and Alfred Chandler, two Advertiser journalists. The pair purchased the old satirical comic paper, the Lantern, as the basis for their venture. Harry Craker, James Hutchison and Alfred Smith were also involved in the publication. Quiz appealed to the new, more educated readers of late nineteenth century Adelaide. It mixed political and social comment with cartoons and quips, sports and theatre reporting, and snippets of social news. The tone was light and racy, and at the proprietors twice found themselves in court for libel over less flattering reports of theatre performers. By 1898 Quiz included photographs, including sporting photographs. In 1914 Quiz combined with the Sporting Life newspaper. In its final years the journal concentrated increasingly on sports reporting, particularly horse racing.

Andrew Dungey was a Port Pirie stationer with strong political and social opinions. His particular interests were 'land nationalisation' (government ownership of land) and the principles of free-trade. Many of his beliefs were based on Henry George's theories of (Christian) Social Democracy. Dungey was a prolific writer of letters to the Port Pirie Advocate. Between 1888 and 1890 he had a regular column. His own short-lived newspaper, Roughshod, railed against the wealthy, the established churches (including the newly-founded Salvation Army) and individual politicians. Dungey espoused a system of single tax, universal voting rights, land nationalisation and unionism, with a belief in ‘the universal fatherhood and church of God.’ His unconventional ideas were part of a wider Australian political and social ferment in the 1890s.

This newspaper was published under the patronage of the South Australian Liberal Federation.

This was the official Labor Party newspaper following the closure of the Daily Herald.

When Charles Hussey was voted to South Australian Parliament as a representative for Encounter Bay, he began publishing this monthly newspaper as a platform for his political views. One thousand copies were distributed free in his electorate. Hussey had unusual political opinions which included a single chamber parliament, support of Federation, and abolition of all pre-nominal titles including 'Reverend'. Hussey was a member of the River Murray Royal Commission, voicing issues which remain the same for South Australia's use of the river today. However he was not re-elected, but continued running his general store at Port Elliot until his death in 1899. Between 1895 and 1898 Hussey also contributed articles discussing specific political matters to the Southern Argus newspaper.

This was an outspoken mid-week newspaper published in association with the South Australian Register. It was largely a vehicle for a vehement attack by editor/owner James Allen on the young governor, George Grey. The colony was in the midst of financial crisis, forcing Grey to extend the spending cuts begun under Governor Gawler. Many of Grey's actions were deserving of criticism but Allen hoped for Grey's removal from office. His description of a fictional ‘commission’ ruling that Grey be removed, must have caused readers in both Adelaide and London to wonder whether the event had actually happened. (26 October 1842, p. 3-4) Apart from the focus on Grey, there are news items including overseas news, and advertisements for other publications by James Allen, including his almanacs, and South Australian Magazine. There are also references to other early Adelaide newspapers in response to their criticism of Allen's publications.

Only two incomplete issues of the Southern Star newspaper have survived, although four are known to have been published. It is difficult to know what the intention of the newspaper was, but coloured cartoons by G. Illman depict prominent figures including Premier Charles Cameron Kingston and Chief Justice Samuel Way. The 1890s was a period of political and social change in Australia, some of which is reflected in the Star, including the issue of unemployment. Insolvency records show the Southern Star was established by a Victorian, John Henderson, who induced would-be employees to pay deposits as guarantees of their readiness to work for the newspaper. Not surprisingly, the newspaper was not financially viable.

This was a short-lived ultra-conservative political journal. Abraham Davis was the publisher and created much comment during its two-year life. Davis was opposed to South Australia's democratic government, universal suffrage and the secret ballot. Adelaide's two daily newspapers lampooned their new ‘adversary’, "The policy of our contemporary is out of date and impracticable." (South Australian Advertiser, 7 January 1860, p. 2-3) Davis was also accused of being prejudiced against the working classes. (Thursday Review, 5 January 1860, p. 3) Apart from political comment, the most regular feature was poetry. A number of local poets had work published in the journal, in particular 'Ellie' (Ellen Debney).

The Voice was described as a ‘democratic newspaper’. The editor was John Medway Day, who had previously been a Baptist minister at Kapunda, and left the church to work in journalism. The newspaper focussed on many of the political and social discussions of the time such as single taxation and land nationalisation. It also included coverage of the New Australia movement, the group of idealists who set out to establish a Utopian settlement in Paraguay.

This was a landmark newspaper, rooted in the Labor movement of the 1890s. It partially continued J. Medway Day’s The Voice. The Herald under editor William Wedd discussed working-class rights, the mix of politics and religion, women's rights and unionism. The New Australia scheme in Paraguay, the ‘Adelaide Hospital Row’ and the establishment of village settlements were matters written about at length. Catherine Helen Spence, feminist and reformer, wrote for the Herald, as did the naturalist JGO Tepper, and Lucy Morice, niece of Catherine Spence, briefly edited the women's column. Sports, drama, music and literature were included in its coverage. An interesting serial story described the heroine being rejected by her lover due to her labour involvements. The newspaper was obviously a success, moving to daily production in 1910 as the Daily Herald.

The Workers' Weekly Herald was the newspaper of the South Australian Labor movement. It has existed under various titles at different times.