UNFAIR REPORTING.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18349, 21 August 1929, Page 10

UNFAIR REPORTING.

CHARGE AGAINST REFORM PRESS. LABOUR LEADER’S COMPLAINT. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, August 20. In the House of Representatives this afternoon, Mr H. E. Holland (Buller), leader of the Labour Party, asked the Prime Minister whether he would consult with the Speaker, with a view to ensuring that, if possible, steps should be taken to secure fair and impartial reporting by certain newspapers of proceedings of the House. Mr Holland stated that marked discrimination had been shown by these newspapers, and while speakers belonging to one Party of the House had been fully reported, little space had been given to speakers belonging to other parties. He said he referred particularly to the “Dominion” (Wellington), to some extent the Auckland “Herald,” and to a less extent the Auckland “Star.” The Christchurch “Star,” he believed, was a little more fair. These alleged reports contained no adequate indication of the arguments placed before the House, and gave the public no real idea of the proceedings,” Mr Holland added. Sir Joseph Ward, in reply, stated that he had noticed the difference to which the Leader of the Labour Party had alluded, and he considered such treatment was not fair. He did not know what means could be employed to meet the position, but he would take opportunity of putting his views on record. To have one side’s views fully reported, and the answers to those arguments largely ignored by some newspapers, was obviously unfair. The present debate was an important one, on which there would naturally and rightly be differences of opinion, and it was only fair that the public 1 should be provided with arguments submitted by all sides. Sir Joseph Ward concluded: "If there is a to obviate this great discrimination, it will be cheerfully adopted.”