DISTORTED NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 110, 9 April 1934, Page 2

DISTORTED NEWS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —It is just possible that even "distorted news" of New Zealand, especially if published in the United States, may he more to our advantage than no news at all. As you justly remark "the transmission of incorrect news with its serious effect on the Dominion's good name" is something to be deplored. If, however, the literal truth he transmitted regarding any accident occurring here, what is there to prevent our enemies, or those who are jealous of our good name, from distorting such transmission to suit their own selfish requirements ? This the finest, the healthiest portion of a most beautiful world will always have its detractors; therefore, instead of wasting time and money in recording seismic and atmospheric disturbances, which so far have produced nothing but alarms and a multiplicity of records, why not exercise our commonsense and seek to eliminate the cause of all disturbance? We cannot kick the enemy beyond our shores without breaking step in our march to progress. As for potential visiting tourists of the timid and neurotic class we do not want them. They will be much better in their own asylum. There can be no disturbance of any kind, not only organic but inorganic, '■ which does not originate in mind or thought; therefore, if our minds are "tuned in" to a life of service—to do all the good we can, to whomsoever we can, when and wherever we can—we thereby eliminate all undesirable conditions as surely as we exclude air from a vessel by filling it with water.— I am, etc., C. H. MASON. 72 Rongopai iStreet. April 9, 1934.