BREACH OF PRIVILEGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4951, 15 March 1926, Page 3

BREACH OF PRIVILEGE.

OVER-ZEALOUS REPORTER.

HOSPITAL BOARD PUBLICITY,.

At Friday’s meeting of the Thames! Hospital and Charitable Aid Board Mr G. Death mentioned that a certain matter which had been dealt with in committee had since been reported in the Thames Star, and he thought there was a gra.ve leakage somewhere. It wias- not the first time that committee, business had leaked out. In‘answer to the chairman (Mr W. B. Hale) : the secretary said that no information had been given to the “Star” .

Mr J. W. Danby supported the previous speaker, and maintained that the “Star” had transgressed.

In answer to Mr Kennedy the chairman reiterated that the matter of the dismissal, of the chef had been dealt with jn committee.

Mr Danby said that the Hauraki Plains Gazette must be completely exonerated in the matter. It was„gratifyink to see that the "Gazette” .represfenta.tive had • respected the wishes and confidence of the board.

'The chairman agreed that the “Gazette’ had acted very f,airly. Mr Hall said he had found that the “Gazette” could be relied upon ’for. the accuha.cy of ite reports ; but certain information had leaked out and had been published by the Th,arnes paper.

Addressing the Thames Star representative, the chairman said that apparently undue publicity ha.d been given the matter of the discharge of the chef, and he must insist on matters dealt with in committee being treated as sacred by the Press. The reply received was that the 'reporter was under the impression that the' resolution was? later moved in open meeting. .

Mr Death. moved tha't any matter being, taken in committee should be wholly withheld from the Presis.

Mr Danby thought that such a resolution was. unnecessary. Wni.l© admitting that the Thames paper had been over zealous, in the matter, he thought thd Press generally could be trusted. From x his experience the Thames Star had been fairly disposed towards; committee matters; and he did not wish to be hard'on the paper concerned. • • -

In (seconding the resolution Mr C. W. Kennedy said he thought the Press could be trusted. The Press rarely m,ade a mistake, and although the Thames Star had digressed, he put it down to over zealousnesjs on the part df. the reporter. Mr Death said he was prepared to withdraw his resolution provided the editor of the Thames Star would apologise to the chef. , The chairman intiinated .that the mdtter was one between the chef and the paper concerned. The resolution was, then withdrawn, and the matter was not proceeded with.