APPRECIATION OF PUBLICITY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21718, 27 February 1936, Page 11

APPRECIATION OF PUBLICITY

Press Not Excluded MEETINGS OF FARMERS’ UNION Although they were urged by the Dominion executive to exclude reporters from tl)eir meetings, the North Canterbury executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union decided yesterday that the value of publicity for its deliberations was such that the press would be invited as in the past to attend the executive’s meetings. Several speakers voiced appreciation of the importance of publicity, and a motion that no alteration be made in procedure was carried. “At the recent meeting of the Dominion executive it was unanimously decided that the press be not present at Dominion executive meetings in future and that the Dominion secretary furnish them with a statement at the conclusion of the meeting,” wrote the Dominion secretary, Mr A. P. O’Shea. “I was instructed to inform provinces of this decision and to urge them to adopt the same procedure at their own meetings. “It was felt that, with the increased activity of the union and with changing circumstances, our organisation should adopt the same procedure as is adopted by other organisations of a similar nature.” continued the letter. “It was pointed out that we were the only organised body representing any section of the . community which allowed the press always to be present, and it was felt that it would be to everyone's advantage to have a statement prepared. By this means any particular information or speech which it was desired to publish could be given publicity, but domestic matters could be kept absolutely private, and we could ensure that the union would not be placed m a less strategic position where it was desired to approach any matter of which publication was not desirable.” “There is nothing compulsory about this,” said the president, Mr G. C. Warren. “They are just hoping that we will follow their lead. Personally I feel reluctant to exclude the press. They have been very good to us and they have come to our meetings sometimes when there is absolutely nothing for them. They have always done their best to give us wise "publicity. I notice that the North Otago and South Canterbury executives have decided not to exclude the press. Any domestic matters can always be considered in committee. “What is the Dominion executive’s reason?” asked Mr J. D. HalL “This would be a retrograde step.” declared Mr F. G. Armstrong. “There is no unity of. work or purpose among farmers. The publicity we get in the daily papers goes a long way to co-operating the work of farmers generally. It would be a grave and retrograde step.” He moved that no alteration be made in the executive’s procedure. “Although some of us might get excited about the present Parliament,” said Mr J. R. Cullen, “and something might be said injurious to the farmers as a whole, we can always take domestic matters in committed.” He believed that the press should not be excluded and he seconded the motion*. The farmers did not appreciate fully the benefit the executive received from the attendance of the press, said Mr Hall. “They have always been very good in excluding anything undesirable. We should continue the same way. I attach great importance to the value of publicity.” The motion was carried unanimously.