PAPER MEN IN DISGRACE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81849, 22 September 1906, Page 2

PAPER MEN IN DISGRACE.

HARBOR BOARD ORATORY. Mr Hine set the ball rolling at the Harbor Board meeting on Friday for the .urine of a grievance. He moved that the Board go into committee for Hie rest of the day, explaining that this was his means of protesting against the very meagre press reports of tho meetings. Whilst recognising that exigencies ot space compelled condensation of the speeches of members, he considered the newspapers should at least publish all amendments and division lists. Mr J. Thomson seconded pro forma, and then member after member complained of the brevity and one-sidedness of the published reports of the Board's proceedings. It was a vesurrectnn of the " town versus ■minify," cry that we thought had been long since consigned to oblivion, •is it should be. Mr Ward confessed lie had often been disappointed 011 reading the report of the Board's doings, and Mr Maxwell charged the New Hymonth pencil-pushers with haying, perhaps unwittingly, given prominence to the New Plymouth side of the business, often ignoring the remarks of the country members and the interests of the county settlers, who paid the rates,, whilst, New Plymouth got most of the benefit. For instance, they would find that Messrs 'Counett and King, the town members, were reported more fully than the speaker ami, say, Mr McLean, who aired the vie vs of the rural ratepayers. Both of these gentlemen complained that their constituents were kept 111 ignorance of llie members' sayings mid criticisms, and they were continually in hot water about it. Mr Maxwell referred to a particular instance of about a year ago, when he urged increased expenditure on wharf extension. His arguments, though good, were practically unreported, whilst an unwarranted interjection was published which gave a wrong impression of his intentions. Mr lung treated the matter in an airv fashion, and gave his opinion that Mr Maxwell's name appeared far oftencr than his (Mr King's) in the newspaper reports. Perhaps the papers paid more attention to his remarks and lo those of the chairman because of their superior merit. (Laughter). Mr King defended the local Press against what lie considered the unjust accusation of a town v. country tendency, and considered it (lie Board's duty to completely exonerate them. Mr Thompson delved into ancient history, and produced fheretroir. his reason for having yoted for wharf extension. This reason had not been obtainable from Press repjrts. Mr Connett, the chairman, explained one or two matters that had cropped up in the discussion, aud opposed the motion, declining to dictate to the Press in any way. He did not seek long reports, and would not care if there were no reporters, except that the rafepn vers should know what the Board was doing, They could not do that with the Board in committee. The " grievance " having been fully ventilated, ahd the reporters by this time appearing fully contrite and penitent, with a " do-better-next-time " expression of countenance, the matter dropped