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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Vol 35 no. 8. 27 April 1972

Correction

Correction

Sir,

I am very disturbed by the statement published in your issue of March 22 at the head of Dr Mann's article on 2,4,5-T, saying that a reason for the article's rejection by the N.Z. Farmer was that the Dow company might withdraw its advertising.

This statement was completely false and it could do, and almost certainly has done, serious harm to the reputation of this publication.

When discussing the question of publication of this article with Dr Mann, I explained that the only reasons for not doing so immediately were that; (a) I regarded the issue as ethically, though not legally, sub judice while the expert committee was still considering it, and (b) that by the time the article could appear in our pages the committee's report would almost certainly have been made public.

I emphasised (and cited examples of past experience to support my statement) that the Farmer was not influenced by possible withdrawal of advertising in making its decision on such important matters.

I also made it clear to Dr Mann that after the committee's decision was published, I would be glad to consider an article from him if the committee's recommendations were not, in our editorial view, the correct ones.

The N.Z. Farmer is the only independent farming publication in New Zealand, and we regard this as an important advantage over our competitors, and feature it prominently on our masthead.

So it will be clear to you that any public statement like the one you have made, which could discredit this claim, is bound to be regarded by us very seriously.

In addition, your statement implies a very real imputation against me personally. I am very widely known in all branches of the farming industry as editor of the Farmer and my reputation could very easily be damaged by your mis-statement.

I would be glad if you would publish in reasonably conspcuous form a correction of this mis-statement in as early an issue as possible, to avoid further action.

Yours faithfully,

Ron Vine,

Editor. N.Z. Farmer.

Salient published the earlier statement in good faith but accepts Mr Vine's statement and is pleased to set out the correct position.