WAR CABLEGRAMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3251, 5 July 1916, Page 60

WAR CABLEGRAMS.

COMPLAINT REGARDING QUALITY. (Feom Oub Own Coreespondent.) WELLINGTON, Juno 29. The quality of the cable news supplied to the dominion was caustically commented on this afternoon by Mr Wilford, who asked the Prime. Minister to enter a dignified protest to the people concerned. " The kind of nau.scat.ing piffle cabled out this mprning in regard to the Anzacs," said Mr Wilford, "is not the kind of stuff that New Zealand wants. This is the typical kind of news that wo are getting." Dr Thacker: Malcolm Ross.

Mr Wilford: No, it has nothing to do with Malcolm Ross. Let us be fair. This is typical of the stuff that Phillip Gibbs wrote for the Daily Chronicle, and of which there is a groat deal in his book, "The Soul of the War." I cannot help thinking that this shows that Phillip. Gibbs thinks this is the kind of stuff wo want, and I want a dignified protest made by the Prime Minister against the nauseating stuff.

Tho Prime Minister replied that he would be glad to look into tho subject mentioned. So far ho had not been able to look at the morning paper owing to business. He knew perfectly well that a very great deal of the so-called news with regard to our troops and with regard to tho war sent out from Britain was not worth appearing in print. It was a waste of time and a wnsto of money. Five out of the 3ix war telegrams that came to himself from the High Commissioner were not worth opening, and a very great saving might be made. He would look into tho matter and seo if anything could bo dow*-