Launch marred by misconceptions

I also attended the book launch of Zen under Fire and found Marianne Elliott to be very charismatic and the subject very interesting.

My enjoyment of the event was soured by several comments made at the end of her presentation regarding South Waikato News’ non-attendance.

As a former employee of the paper, I am aware of its shortcomings but I thought the comments were unfair, untrue and some simply gutless, and the launch was an inappropriate venue to air them.

The impression was that the newspaper had shown no interest in Ms Elliott or her book, whereas she had been interviewed by reporter Aden Miles prior to the launch. This misconception was not corrected.

A launch is not a news event but one to generate product sales. Businesses pay for their product and business name to be mentioned in the paper.

The news story was Ms Elliott and her life. News stories are required to be timely and as she already had been back in New Zealand for several years this was not the case. So really the interview again was to generate interest in her book and again, leeway was given.

The South Waikato News is a business which makes its money by advertising. I did not see any advertisements in the paper prior to the launch so it was a bit rich to accuse the paper of not supporting the community when event organisers did likewise. I do not wish to denigrate Ms Elliott; I admire the path she has chosen but M Baldwin and the like should remember that while her career is special, it is not unique.

There are men and women from this district serving in hot spots all over the world; some like Cpl Doug Grant have died in service.

Perhaps Ms Elliott was lucky to get the publicity she did. R Burke Tokoroa which I never received.

Never in my life have I had a fee increase on my bills, for being late. I was a little bit miffed when told by the council it was not their fault but the Post Office’s and perhaps I could take it up with them for the $40 penalty payment.

It all boils down to stinging the little people on the street once again doesn’t it? We always have to pay, and pay and pay. K Parker Tokoroa