 When the new weekly "The Australasian" was established in 1864, Haddon became its first editor, and in January 1867 was made editor of "The Argus" at 27 years of age.It was a period of great developments in Victoria, and under Haddon's editorship the "Argus", while distinctly conservative served a most useful purpose in advocating the claims of the primary producers, and endeavouring to keep protective duties within reasonable bounds.It fought with success for non-political control of government departments and purity of administration, with the result that Victoria set a high standard among the colonies in these matters.