A MISLEADING MESSAGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 205, 27 February 1914, Page 4

A MISLEADING MESSAGE.

In a cablegram from Washington received through the Proas Association, which appeared in our issue of the 2nd inst., dealing with the question of Asiatic exclusion, a statement was included that "Messrs Burns, Philp and Co. were offering cheap fares to Japan." To this statement, in the context in which it appears, Messrs Burns, l'liilp and Co. -have taken the strongest exception. We need hardly say that, we had not (and are requested by the Press Association to make the same statement on its behalf) the slightest intention of reflecting in any way whatsoever upon Messrs Burns, Philp and Co. Tlie message was published just as it reached us, but we find upon enquiry that the words to which exception is* taken did not form part of the original message, but became interpolated in some way between the time of the receipt of the message in Sydney by the Eastern Extension Cable Co. and the time of its being handed out by that company at Wakapuaka. While therefore the Press Association, nor this paper, is really to blame, we can quite appreciate the' annoyance that Messrs Burns, Philp anil Co. feel at the publication of the words complained of, and we desire to express our sincere regret that the words should liavo found their way into our columns. This statement ia made, not only oil our account, but on behalf of the Press Association, which desires to express to Messrs Burns, Philp and Co. its regret that it should have been the medium, though entirely innocently, of transmitting the words complained of.