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Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23803, 24 November 1942, Page 6

PRESS- EXCLUDED

PRODUCTION COUNCIL MEETING SUGGESTION OF MINISTER (0.R.) TIMARU, November 23. Responding to a suggestion made by the Hon. J. G. Barclay, a specially convened meeting of the South Canterbury Primary Production Council decided this morning to ask reporters to withdraw before the discussion’ with the Minister began. Representatives of the Returned Services’ Association and the Meat Board were also present. Explaining the circular recently issued by the Director of Primary Production (Mr R. B. Tennent), the Minister said that, while he did not wish to curb the newspapers or hamper the press in its news gathering, he thought it in the interests of unity that their discussion should take place, without the press being represented. Some letters that had come before the Primary Production Councils had been published and had created considerable misunderstanding, and had certainly not been helpful. “The newspapers, after all, are political, and they do use news for political purposes,” said the Minister; “and if in the business of production the newspapers are going to take sides, the position becomes intolerable.” Mr Barclay said he regarded district councils as semi-State departments, and in view of this they just could not have the reporters present. The Minister and the department got a certain amount of criticism from the councils, and as the people had their Chambers of Commerce and other bodies to have a fly at the Government, he thought it better not to have the reporters present at Production Council meetings. “If this is accepted then we can send you all the stuff, but if reporters are to attend then that’s the stone end of it,” said the Minister. He thought the interests of all would be served if the reporters were asked to withdraw. The chairman (Mr L. V. Talbot) explained that the press was the connecting link between the council and the farmers, and without the reports the producers would not know what was going on. “We will grant the Minister’s request if only as a matter of courtesy,” added Mr Talbot, “but I think I can say that in many quarters members feel that the work of the council is being stifled.” Mr Barclay said he did not object to Primary Production Councils putting their own reports in the papers so long as they took the responsibility for what appeared. “We don't want to curb you,” he added, "but we must see that letters that should not be published do not get into the newspapers. We get cuttings of all that is published, and we know what is being said.” Mr Barclay added: “You can’t blame the press because some of the letters make good reading,” The meeting decided, without discussion, to accede to the Minister’s suggestion and the reporters withdrew.