THE Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. MONDAY, MAY 27, 1929. COMMISSIONER HAY’S LECTURE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5429, 27 May 1929, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. MONDAY, MAY 27, 1929. COMMISSIONER HAY’S LECTURE.

During the course of a public address in Paeroa Commissioner Hay at intervals throughout his lecture on the reasons for the deposition of General Bramwell Booth, made markedly antagonistic and derogatory remarks in reference to the Press. A representative of the “Hauraki Plains Gazette” attended the meeting by special request of the Salvation Army authorities in Paeroa, and reported faithfully the subject matter, as is the habit of a newspaper. In one sally at the Press Commissioner Hay said, commiseratingly, “Oh, the papers, the papers, aren’t the Press unreasonable. The poor silly things, the poor silly fellows ” This, with all Commissioner* Hay’s remarks about the Press, were duly published in these columns: it is in the natural order of things for the Press, which the Commissioner evidently so despises, to record ad verbatum. We have now received from Brigadier Walter Cottrill a letter of thanks for the report given in this newspaper of Commissioner Hay’s lecture in question, but at the same time the officer asks, “May I be allowed to correct the remark that Commissioner Hay was reported to have said ‘the silly Press’; this is totally wrong,” and, adds the Brigadier, “I was present at the lecture and know positively that he did not use these words which were attributed to him.” The letter concludes with the request, “Perhaps you will be good enough to put in a correction.” “The Hauraki Plains Gazette” did not state that Commissioner Hay said “the silly Press,” and in so far as that is concerned Brigadier Cottrill is correct. But it is the matter of a split infinitive. Commissioner Hay did say, “aren’t the Press unreasonable, the poor silly things the poor silly fellows,” as was printed. This fact is borne out by the chairman of the meeting, and therefore no correction is necessary. The Press are used to hard knocks, but in all fairness when both sides are truly set down an un-called-for attack needs a reply. That is why this has been written.