High ranking member should merit newbie when it is due, but often times newbie delivers a topic that is considered redundant because it has been discussed for several times.  Unless a newbie brings a new information that is beneficial to the forum members, merit will be aloof to them if they keep on creating generic topics. 

Aside from that giving merit is subjective, other members considered asking a valuable question deserves merit while other member merit post that they find entertaining or supportive to their idea. 

@OP if you wanted lots of merit, get involve in the forum politics (if there is any) and pick side but be aware that you can get red tag on the opposing side .  Or help in improving the forum, you can check reputation, meta and scam accusation board  and see how members get merit in there.