MARKETING OF BANANAS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 254, 27 October 1938, Page 9

MARKETING OF BANANAS

STATEMENT REPUDIATED ATTITUDE OF CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION [ Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 25. A statement published in the Christchurch Press, purporting to be the expressed opinion of Mr. W. J. Masson, a member of the executive of the Canterbury Fruit Buyers’ Association, on the marketing of bananas, was not in fact made by Mr. Masson. The interview was repudiated by Mr. Masson, who sent the following telegram to Mr. F. R. Picot, Director of Internal Market-

“I entirely repudiate the interview attributed to me in the Press on October 25 and am asking newspapers to publish a disclaimer. I have never communicated' with the Press directly or indirectly. I have always appreciated your efforts and the Government scheme.” The statement referred to was supplied to the Press by Mr. C. H. Capes, secretary of the Canterbury Fruit Buyers’ Association. Mr. Capes stated that his executive had given general authority to him to supply statements to the Press and that it was customary for him to give statements in this way, using the name of a member of the executive. The reporter who received the statement was under the impression that Mr. Masson was aware of the interview and that he had approved it. The opinions were, as Mr. Masson has made clear, not his personal views, and for this reason has taken exception to the use of his name. Decision of Executive Approval of the complaint against the Government scheme for the marketing of bananas contained the statement supplied to the Press oy the secretary, Mr. C. H. Capes, was expressed at a special meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Fruit Buyers’ Association. Of the nine members of the executive, exclusive of Mr. Masson, seven were present at the meeting, and they were unanimous in their decision to sign a further statement. The two absent, members concurred in this decision by telephone. The statement, which set out the

executive’s general approval of the complaint made in the statement supplied by Mr. Capes and which details the procedure of the association in the publication of such statements, reads: “The attention of the executive of the Canterbury Fruit Buyers' Association has been drawn to the fact that Mr. W. J. Masson, a member of the executive, has repudiated a statement which appeared to-day over his name on behalf of the Canterbury Fruit Buyers’ Association. We, the undersigned members of the association, agree substantially with the statement, which was prepared by the secretary of the association on the authority of the executive. Such statements are from time to time prepared by the secretary and issued under the names of responsible members of the association, the executive having decided on this procedure for communications of official statements to the newspapers. Before presenting the statement the secretary of the association endeavoured to communicate with Mr. Masson, but failed to get in touch with him.” The statement was signed by Messrs. F. O. Bentley (president), C. H. Capes (secretary), A. A. Holland, E. Guthrey, J. Adams, J. Daniel and J. A. Wilkinson.