EXCLUSION OF PRESS FROM MEETINGS

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24867, 6 May 1946, Page 3

EXCLUSION OF PRESS FROM MEETINGS

DECISION OF TEMUKA FEDERATED FARMERS From Our Own Reporter

TEMUKA, May 4. A decision to oppose the Timaru-St. Andrews remit to exclude the press from meetings of the South Canterbury Farmers’ Federation was made unanimously at a meetirig of the Temuka branch of Federated Farmers last evening on the motion of Messrs R S. McCully and T. H. Symes. The remit read: r *That it be a strong recommendation from this branch that the press be excluded from all meetings, and that all reports for the press be well considered.’’ Mr Symes said he understood that the executive had no jurisdiction over branches and that the branches could admit the press if they desired. ‘•I rigorously opposed the suggestion to exclude the press, and this matter has now been referred, to the branches,” said the chairman (Mr J. Woodhead). The executive could only make suggestions to branches, he said. Mr A. R. Boating said he liked to have the press at meetings and considered that it was of value. However, he said, he had been to meetings in Timaru where things had been said that should not go to the press. It would possibly be better to supply a suitable repdrt to the newspapers. Many members of the federation would not know of its activities, said Mr Symes, if it were not for newspaper reports. Matters qpuld, where necessary, be taken in committee said the chairman. Reporters were considerate when speakers had given confidential information, and the press had performed a wonderful service as far as the functioning of branches and the executive was concerned. The reports in their own official publications were not sufficient, he said. Mr R. Sherriff said that if the federation did not get some publicity it would soon go out of existence.