THE R.S.A. MEETING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 299, 13 September 1919, Page 8

THE R.S.A. MEETING

THE PRESS ATTACKED

REPORTERS LEAVE THE HALL Last evening's meeting of the Returned Soldiers' Association, held in the Town Hall, was not reported by the representatives of the Wellington papers. At the time appointed, for the opening of proceedings the reporters ivore at their table.. Very little business had been transacted when a member of the association proposed that the Press should bo excluded. from the hall. SeveraD speakei'6 to tlu | motion indulged in wholesale condeuins.1 tion of tho newspapers of Wellington and the reporting stall's attached to tliem. A : description of tho reporters present as j "paid parasites of the Press" and of the j papers as "dirty sheets'' was characteristic of the iinmoderato tons adopted by some of the speakers. Tho motion was ! not unanimously supported,; but the debate in general so abounded in offensive | gibes that for the pressmen to havo rei mained niigiht have lent some colour to ; a suggestion that they were, parasites indeed. Without waiting for the motion to be put, the reporters withdrew. Wo are informed that after the Press left, the motion that the Reporters 'be asked to retire was negatived, and a motion that they be asked to return was carried. A motion was -afeo moved to the effect that the report from the spokesmen of tlie deputation to Parliament be not received. The purpose of this motion was to voice disagreement with the course of action decided on by the previous meeting. Though this motion received considerable support, it was lost after two hours' discussion. The report of the deputation was then adopted. No other business was transacted, and the meeting adjourned at 11 p.m.