‘Star’ staff want to know why editor quit

Press, 14 July 1978, Page 1

‘Star’ staff want to know why editor quit

The surprise resignation of Mr M. B. Forbes, editor of the “Christchurch Star,” will be discussed at a meeting of the newspaper’s journalists and printers at 9 o’clock this morning. The journalists’ and printers’ chapels (union branches) issued a statement yesterday expressing deep concern that the circumstances of Mr Forbes’s resignation “had not been made clear” by the chairman of the firm which owns the “Star,” New Zealand News, Ltd (Mr G. T. Upton). “We suspect that the resignation has political overtones and has been forced on Mr Forbes. We challenge Mr Upton to explain publicly the true reasons for the resignation,” the statement said. The father (president) of the “Star” journalists’ chapel (Mr G. Mcßride), asked to elaborate what was meant by “political overtones,” said that it referred to the series of articles and editorials printed by the “Star” in March and April, calling on the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) to resign. “Obviously, there is more behind this than we are told, and we are concerned to know the full story,” said Mr Mcßride.

Earlier, the chapel passed the following resolution: “That we, the ‘Star’ editorial staff, are shocked and dismayed by the news of Mr Forbes’s sudden and unexpected resignation. “We believe he has been an outstanding and courageous editor, and under his leadership the paper has been the best in New Zealand. We are proud to have worked for him.” The Prime Minister (Mr

Muldoon) has denied any foreknowledge of Mr Forbes’s resignation.

Asked whether he had taken any action that might have caused Mr Forbes’s resignation, or whether there was any ground for believing that it was in any way due to reaction to the Muldoon editorials, the Prime Minister said:

“I know nothing of the matter. I was informed by lan Templeton (the senior New Zealand Newspapers correspondent in the Parliamentary Press Gallery) that he had resigned I am aware that management was not happy with the tone of his antiMuldoon editorials.”

Mr Upton announced yesterdav that Mr Forbes had resigned and would leave the company at the .end of the month. He said Mr Forbes had decided to “look further afield while he is still young enough to do so.” He told the company’s annual meeting in Auckland that Mr Forbes was a most accomplished journalist, who had given his very best endeavours to the newspaper.

“It is with great regret that I have to announce his resignation as editor of the ‘Christchurch Star’.” “He is leaving the company at the end of the month, and takes our very best wishes for future success with him.”

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling) said last evening that he was deeply saddened by the news of Mr Forbes’s resignation.

“Under Mike Forbes's stewardship, the ‘Christchurch Star’ blossomed into an exciting, provocative, and highly professional newspaper,” he said.

"I can wholeheartedly endorse the resolution passed by his fellow journalists in the ‘Star’ chapel.” Mr Rowling said there would inevitably be speculation about the background to the resignation because of the controversial material the “Star’* had published from time to time, especially the series of editorials about Mr Muldoon.

Mr Upton said later last evening that he had received Mr Mcßride’s telegram, and that he had replied to it. He declined to reveal his reply. Mr Mcßride said he would tell his chapel members the contents of Mr Upton’s telegram at this morning’s meeting. When told last evening about the actions of the journalists’ and printers’ chapels, and of the comments by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Forbes said he had nothing further to add.

Informing his staff of his resignation, Mr Forbes said that he obviously regretted coming to the end of a 24-year association with the “Star,” but he was looking for fresh challenges. He could not indicate at present the direction his new career would take. Mr Forbes was the youngest metropolitan newspaper editor in New Zealand when he took over from Mr Ben Mair four years ago. He is 44. His resignation led to immediate speculation among journalists that there might be a link between his resignation and his editorial crusade calling for the resignation of Mr Muldoon. The editorials, printed between March 27 and April 1, fol-

lowed other editorials against the appointment of Sir Keith Holyoake as Governor-General. Mr Forbes was born and educated in Timaru and worked on the “Timaru Herald” and “The Press,” before joining the “Star” in 1954.

Six years later, at 26, he was appointed chief subeditor. In 1966 he was appointed deputy editor, and two years later assistant editor. He took over as editor when Mr Mair retired in 1974. He was awarded a Commonwealth Press Union Fellowship in 1964 and made study tours of the United States and Asia. He has been a director of the New Zealand Press Association since he was appointed editor, and this year was elected chairman. The assistant editor of the “Star” (Mr P. H. Osborne) will act as editor until a permanent appointment is made.