P.M. ‘disgusted’

Press, 2 April 1980, Page 1

P.M. ‘disgusted’

PA Wellington The following is the text of a letter received by the editor of the “Dominion” (Mr E. Frost) last evening headed “An open letter to the editor of the “Dominion”: Dear Mr Frost, I have read this morning’s vicious editorial attack on my colleague, Colin McLachlan, with a sense of deep disgust. People in public life must be prepared to take criticism and, indeed they must be prepared to be hounded by the more disreputable

elements of the press, even when ill; but we do not expect the "editor of a metropolitan daily to pursue a Minister to his hospital and to his home with the kind of ’ viciousness displayed by your editorial. I am reminded that your predecessor as editor of the “Dominion” resigned after a long period of ill-health and with the personal goodwill of many people in Parliament Buildings. I wonder how he would have felt if we, the politicians, had hounded him at a time

when the “Dominion” was clearly the worst daily paper in the country and the editor was ill. Since you stepped up, or was it down; from the “Hawera Star,” the paper has, if anything; declined in merit and frankly, Mr Editor, last time I saw you you looked to me as though the strain was telling. A medical check-up might be appropriate' and then perhaps a quiet reflection on the standards that you are setting in your editorials. Sincerely, Rob. Muldoon