‘THE PRESS”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 14 March 1939, Page 2

‘THE PRESS”

TRIBUTE IN A TOAST SPEECH A notable iddition to the long list of tributes to N< ■ Zealand's press was made by Mr WiL Appleton, Wellington, in proposing tin toast of “The Press’ at the annual duner of the New Zealand Society of Aicountants in Palmerston North. Mr Appletai remarked that this toast was usually lone in a perfunctory way, but he believed that the press deserved something beter than the customary brief

salute. New Zealand knew well liow the quality of their pies* made a very favourable impression on distinguished visitors from overseas. The profession of accountancy naturally prided itself ou its strict devotion to principles of precision and truth. In this respect it hud not achieved a higher standard than the journalistic profession of this country. The reporters had not only an honourable record of fairness, but they had often the distinction of evolving order out of chaos. Many a speaker had to thank journalists for correct interpretation of his ideas. There was a notion among some folks that any big advertiser could sway the press, continued Mr Appleton. This was a i absolutely false impression. Speaking from thirty years’ close association with newspapers, he could declare emphatically that they were not under the domination of advertisers. '1 lie leading metropolitan and provincial papers had definite rules in relation to advertising, and did not swerve from them.