1936-08-19 — Page 7

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1936.

AMUSING TALK ON JOURNALISM

Mr. A. E. Pratt Addresses.

The Rotary Club

INTERVIEWS DESCRIBED

At the weekly tin of the Hong Kong Rotary Club held at the Hong Kong Hotel Roof Garden yesterday afternoon, mem- bers were kept in constant laughter listening to an interesting talk on "Leaves from a Journalist's Notebook”, kiven bỹ Mr. Alec. Kinar Pratt, a well-known Australian journalist who is on a tour of the Far East studying customs.

Mr. Pratt explained to his audience what was news and the psychology of journalism and described his experiences when In- terviewing such famous personages as thè läte Dämie Nellfe Meldas, Pavlova Challavin and Sir Thomas Beecham

Rotarian R. D. Walker was in the raised, that when a literal or typo- chair and explained that the Pre- | graphical

error creeps into ane aldent, Mr. Thomas Tam, was auf solitary edition, you will find that fering from the effects of a elly- a very

great percentage of the fah sting and was unable to at reading public has noticed it. A tend "We

hope that a these advertiser who desired to test the meetings we get more support at "pulling power" of a certain pub- the big table," he added.

lication tried the experiment of de- The Chairman welcomed Ro-liberately mis-spelling the most tarian John A. Sowers, of the Oak-important word in his full-page in land Chamber of Commerce and sertion. The thousands of custom- Rotarian T. T. Poon, of Canton ers who flocked to his store and commented to the sales-people on GREETINGS FROM OAKLAND

"that stupid mistake in spelling" "It is a pleasure at this time," did a great deal to convince that sald Rotarian Bowers. "to bring man of the age-old truth that "ad- greetings from Oakland and from vertising pays,” the Oakland Rotary Club und ra carry back greetings from the Hong Kong Rotarians. As some of you probably know I am out on my flest trip to the Orient to see some thing because we in. California are very interested in this part of the world. Many people in the world

don't know where Oakland is," (Laughter).

'

The newspaper on which I work- ed in Melbourne, published every Saturday a paper which contained over 500,000 words. The average

length of a novel is 100,000 words, So. typographically at east, five navels were represented in the "set- up" of that paper. The most care- ful checks were made. and the statistics, proved that over a period Rotarian Sewers unded that the of twelve editions selected at new bridge from Oakland to San random, only two errors had es- Francisco would be soon completed caped those responsible in the vari and they hored to travel over is departments." I have often on November 1, Oakland, he con

bien asked how information, which cluded. was getting more Impor- news, is obtained froth those who tant cally,

are sufciently exaulted or sufi- Among the guests welcomed was clently intriguing to make state- Mr. J. Middleton-Smith..

ments falling from their Ups leap. Introducing Mr. Pratt, the Chair-into fain'ng headlines. Well, news man said that he was a visiting is not in the habit of walking in Journalet from Australia. "He is to an office. Somebody has to go studying customs in the Far East out and get it, and it is occasion- und so he should tell us something ally necessary to employ the 34- extraordinarily interesting." (Ap-lence of Job. the wisdom of Solo- plause).

"THE ADDRESS

of

Mr. Prait said:-Mr. President, Members Rotary and your Guests. When a visitor to a famous London newspaper office at the rush period, of course-pleasantly asked the much harassed

chlef

|| sub-editor now he "made-up" his voluminous news-sheet, he gave a withertig side-long glance and cryptically replied, "With brains."

one-third more news than it can

I

mon and the suavity of a maitre d'hotel or an ambassador, to nare understand me. I'm not built that the story. Now, please don't mis-

way, but, as an ordinary working journalist out on the road. I have to go through the hoops when the whip's cracked.

V

LATE DAME MELBA`·

every kink

of character,

❘

UNADULTERATED GATE- CRASHING

“That's extremely unfortunate, "I replied with all the pathos I I could muster, "because my business is really most vital, and, besides, "I added with vanishing saliva. "I observed Dame Nelite reading in that little cream-curtain" alcove room as i came up the drive.' And that was not a shot in the dark, for I had actually caught a fleet- ing glimpse of a not-too-alender lady of Melba's dimensions, reading in that room. Then, my lucky star took a leap. I distinctly heard, a trill Footsteps down the passage: a voice, commanding as» Everest

and as are as Gibraltar: "Shut that door. I'm cold." But I beat Thomson to it. In a twinkling, I was past him and facing the im-. perious Queen of Bong-an example of unadulterated gate-crashing, I won't say she snorted, but her øyes definitely narrowed. I was in, and in for it as well.. So, I let go, blind

to all consequences. This is what I allowed to rush, from my lips like a river in spate: "I was ordered to see you, and I have. I was siso ordered to interview you. She was a bit taken aback at this. Thom- son, of course, was derolated. I could'nt have looked at him and kept my face straight for all the treasures of Coombe. Melba spoka not one word, but she looked whole libraries.

1

She was at least hearing me, I said to myself, so I tried a little psychological experiment. Melba was hard as nails, but she cherish- ed some of the tenderest memories woman ever had." "You know, Damie Nellle," I quietly continued. "if Marschasi had refused to give you a hearing when you came to his door with your son in your arms, what would you have felt?" Melba calmly and rather wither- ingly eyed me. then, in a voice re- meniscent of lorgnettes, and dia- monds, asked, "Who are you and what paper sent you?”

I supplied the information, Kiving my age but not my status in Journalism.

She motioned to Thomson. The door closed-and I was still in. He took some of my belongings from

me: and then I followed Melba into her charming little study.

She motioned me to a chair. Looking me straight in the eye, the commenced, “Now, I'm not a fool, and I know what publicity means, out I have'nt given interviews since. my return because I don't want people to pry into my affairs. I've

had more than enough trouble with the Customs over the things I brought out from London, and any publicity may start them thinking they'd forgotten something. That's all. It's just business." A pause. Then, "Of course, I should'nt say such things to you." I assured her that I never betrayed a con-

idence, and I say here, that any newspaper that expects a journalist to violate a confidence is not worth working, for. Well, to cut the story shorter, I persuaded Melba to show me over her home, which was one of her greatest prides, and tell me stories about some of her choicest treasures which, had been gifts from world-famous personages, and others which she had discovered in out-of-the-way places and bar tered for. Not one "timely" word was to creep into the interview. It was all to be "old stuff"

She told me on later occasions that strolling through her rooms and talking about gifts which

LATEST NEWS

ABOUT THE SERVICES ·

ROYAL NAVY

Ships For The Far East

All the ships which were detach- ed from the China Station for ser- vice in the Mediterranean last autumn are now on their way back to the Far East, with the exception of the submarines Oswald and Proteus. The former is detained at Malta by defects. Their sister vessels the Osiris and Pandora left Port Said on July 31 and should arrive at Aden on August 5. They are due at Hong Kong by Septem- ber 3.

יון

The cruisers Berwick and Adven- ture are now on the passage be- tween Aden and Colombo, and should arrive at Colombo on Mon- day to remain, for the rest of the week. The 15th Destroyer Division, fender, and Diana, has arrived at composed of the Decoy, Dainty. De-

Singapore.

PRIZE FOR NAVAL OBSERVER

Kempenfelt and Vega arrived Quetaris (July 30). **

Kent arrived Dairen (July (27). Narwhal left. Malta for Gibraltar (July 29).

Norfolk arrived Zanzibar (July 29).

Rochester left Lourenco Marques for Durban (July 29),

Saltburn left Southampton Water (July. 30).

Scarborough arrived Grand Bank (July 29)..

Scout. Tempest and Saguenay arrived Dover (July 29).

Shamrock, arrived Tangier (July)

29).

Valorous arrived Santander (July 29) and left for Bilboa (July 30).

Vega arrived St. Jean de Luż (July (3).

Verity arrived Santander. (July 29), and left (July 30).

(July 30).

Veteran arrived and left Gljon

แ

Venetia arrived Valencia (July 30). a

Whitshed arrived and left Corun-

and (July 30). Wishart left Bilboa for Sheerness (July 303.

Wren left Vigo (July 30). York arrived Barbados (July 29).

The Henry Leigh Carstake Prizena for 1936 has been awarded to Lt.-| Commander W. T. Couchman, R.N.. of EMS. Rodney. This prize. founded in 1927. commemorates a pioneer observer of the Fleet Air Arm who was killed in an aeroplane NAVAL PROMOTIONS crash of Malta on October 21, 1926, while serving in HMS. Eagle. It, Is awarded to the naval observer submitting the best essay on the work and development of the Fleet Air Arm. Lieutenants G. N. Beau mont, of H.M.S. Furious, and W. E.

commended for their essays, Waters, of HMS. Glorious, are

Lt.-N. A. Capeman, to rank of Lt.-Cdr. (seny. July 30); H..P. Mad- den, to rank of Lt.-Cdr. (seny, July 31), H. C. Browne, J. H. Swain, W. R. J. Redman, R. W, 8. Sima- Williams, T. A. K. Maunsell, 8. R. H. Davenport, S. J. Hennessey, J. B G. Temple, and K. H. Fraser, to rank of Lt.-Cdr. (seny, Aug. 1).

TRAFALGAR SIGNALS

Sub-Lis.-H. D. McL. Slater, to Commander H F. Mead, R.N., rank of Lt, (seny. June 1); 3. A. formerly a dag Heutenant and levers (F/O., RAF.), S. R. Le H. signal and wireless officer, who has Lombard-Hobson, G. C. Newcombe made a special study of the history (F/O., RAF). R. W. R. Lacon, and of signalling, has published a R. N. Gibb, to rank of Lt. (seny. pamphlet on "Trafalgar Signals" July 18).

price is. 6d. through Percival Marshall and Co. It is hoped that It may be of help to other naval officers who have not had the in- clination or opportunity for um-

earthing certain elusive references

Payr. Lts. H. P. Proctor, J. T. Shrimpton, and A. A. Loveridge, to rank of Payr. Lt.-Cdr. (seny. Aug. 1.)..

and T. P. Gillespie, to rank of Payr.

Payr. Sub-Lts.-B. K. Freedman

NAVAL APPOINT. MENTS

ba the subject. Commander Mead Lt. (seny. Aug. 1). recalls the controversy which en- sued when the late Mr. W. G. Per- rin. Admiralty Librarian, an- nounced in a letter to "The Times" May 13, 1908, that the wrong flags were in use to denote Nelson's

o

The following appointments were

6, and 7..

signals at Trafalgar. The present made by the Admiralty on Aug. 5. Lord Nelson, supplied a foreword to the pamphlet.

OFFICER TITLES REVISED Revised titles are to be brought Loto use immediately for officers promoted to the ranks of paymas ter Meutenant 0% paymaster lieutenant-commander

出 the

writer, supply, and cookery bran- ches. The initials in brackets which have hitherto denoted these branches are abolished. Paymaster Heutenant (W) will in future be known as paymaster lieutenant, as will paymaster lieutenant (S) and paymaster lieutenant (C).

One of the earliest experiences of my journalistic life was to inter- view the late Dame Nellie Melba. But the inquiring visitor was not, I'd studied Law before I sunk my satisfied. He gazed amazed at the social status and ascended to al- huge accumulation of untouched truism through journalism. It was "copy" heaped high at the sub's well that I'd had that law expert- right hand. "And how In the ence, for, amongst other things, the world do you get through all that?" law gives one a fine sense of the he asked. The sub indicated instability of human purpose and with his left thumb a monumental almos waste-paper basket, and, with a So. when they told me I was due soulful sigh and shake of the head. to be taken for a ride to the magni- added, "It's God's greatest gift to Acent and beautiful home of Dame the newspaper game." Laughter Nelle Coombe Cottage, delight- And I suppose it is a fair estimate fully situated among the foothills that every newspaper of impor- of the Healsville ranges about tance, and you can put your own forty miles from Melbourne-I had Interpretation on that word "iman dea P was "for it." The point portance." receives daily at least was, she had just returned from one of her periodical visits to Bri- publish within those increasingly tain, and had brought back what narrow confines left after the was rumored to be a remarkable avaricious advertisers have finish collection of art treasures. More-stirred such dynamic memories on over, she had met many people who that morning, had given her real But. let's start at the beginning.were well in the international news. Pleasure. "For", she used to 107 What is news? It's truly amazing Yet, not one word would, she say.

with a flash of deflance, "I'm proud how many smart sayings are at not one interview give. You know,

of what Eve got." tributed to people after their sh

some journalists don't need to.ac- cess has inspired a somewhat be- tually get interviews. They just numbed public 10 characterise take ย look at the subject Atter them as "smart. So, most of the matter through a window, and casually that she was contemplat- clever saying about newspapers and go off and write a snappy half ing giving certain of her treasureN news are to-day attributed to the column of really heart-to-heart to the national art gallery. I ask-dates. founder of the modern style of copy, As the car swung up the ed her if I could use thist part of journalism, Lord Northelife. Thus drive of Melba's home, I was the interview, and she agreed. The comes the answer to the question, | turning over in my mind certain result was a two-columa story dek- What is News? from the lip of the features of the great prima donna's cribing a remarkable private col late Northcliffe:-If you see a dog career, particularly her earlylection, the whole write-up being biting a man. that is NOT news; struggles. One feature seemed to carried by her last remark that i BUT, if you see a man biting a dog stand-out above all others she the nation might receive some of that IS news." I suppose every never cringed, and she loathed the exquisitely beautiful objects body knows that saying, and I sup- toadies and snobs. Her loathing of described in the story. pose nobody knows just what it those despleable means-bot even journalista.

ed"

characteristica

TWO-COLUMN STORY

lunch she

mentioned

Cd. Engr.-C. W. Treweeks to Lowestoft (Aug. 14).

Lts.-R. L. H. Marsh to Danae ion commg.) and to Kent (on transfer).

Osprey, for course (Aug. 17) and to Sub.-Lt-R. M. B. Charter, to

Escort (Aug. 31).

Payr. Cadets.-O, Byng to Cum- berland.

THE ARMY

Territorial Units' Training

Up to 1922, when the Supply Except for a few units, the final Branch was created, the rank at- contingents of the Territorial Army tainable in the victualling depart- left for annual training on Aug. 2: ment of the Service was known as The infantry includes 31 bat- paymaster Heutenant (V), but the tallons from the Midlands, London, notation (8) was then substituted.

the West of England, Birmingham, The paymaster lieutenant (C) was Lancashire, Cumberland, Westmor- formerly known as lieutenant in land,

Oxfordshire, “Buckingham- structor in cookery, the change shire, and Berkshire, and the being made by Order in Council number of batteries to move is 48 dated May 22, 1931.

The engineer units to move are GOOD SERVICE PENSIONS

from Middlesbrough, Smethwick. Cannock, Tunstall, Weymouth, Good Service pensions of £150 a Bristol, Birmingham, Reading, year have been awarded to Cap- Barry, Bedford, Luton, Cambridge, tains A, F. Pridham, from July 22, Chelmsford, and Llanelly; and and W. E. C. Talt, from July 23. in transport columns and field at- succession to Captains F. Elliott, bulances will take the road from O.B.E., and B. C. Watson, D.B.O.. West Bromwich, Essex, Netting- promoted to flag rank an those ham, Birmingham, Ipswich, and Weymouth. There will be 45,000 troops in training on Monday. The camps are as follows:-

Redesdale---54th (Durham ard West Riding) Medium Brigade, B.A.

MOVEMENTS OF SHIPS

Achilles arrived Jamaica (July

20).

.

+

Aphis arrived Hankow (July 28). Broke and Thanet arrived Torbay Felixstowe -Durham Heavy Bri- (July 30).

F

gade, R.A., North Riding Fortress Crusader arrived Biboa (July R.E, Essex Fortress R.E. and 25th

arrived

(Northamptonshire) Armoured Car Company.

30).

One story which was inspired, as

Cygnet arrived Vigo (July 30). Douglas arrived Marseilles (July

29).

Bridlington-61st (North Mid-

land) Field Brigade, R.A,, and 50th Dundee left St. Margaret's Bay Divisiorial R.A.Q.C. for Murray Bay (July 29).

Redcar.-62nd. (North Midland)

burn arrived Portsmouth (July 30).

Effingham, Alresford - and Balt- | Field Brigade, R.A/

Falmouth arrived Tientsin (July 29).

My had to be heard to be properly ap-she handled a lovely little tapestry view is simply this, News is any-preciated. The car stopped. thing lateresting and timely. But told the driver to go down the road many showed the dignity and given her by the Empress of Ger- this might start a controversy.a mile or so to the nearest sane- Therefore, let me say one

character of Melba. She had ap- thing tuary, and "have one on me" ti peared at the Berlin "opera house with which I think you will all I joined him. I had an inkling I'd before the Kaiser and his consort. agree; Journalims la an excellent need more than a drive home after After the performance, Melba was institution--for journailets.

the job was over.

commanded to attend the Royal box, presumably to receive the Gallant arrived Barcelona (July Royal compliments. The Empress 29) and left for Marseilles (JulyHilsea.46th Divisional R.A.O,C was very gracious, but the Kaiser 30).. rather stiffly returned her bow.

MAGIC CARPET

Thomson; Melba's butler and travel attendant for many years, Journalists are the weavers of opened the door as butlers do the magic carpet which you receive noiselessly, almost coyly. I gave daily in the form of a newspaper.him a full dental smile. He re- a magic carpet which transports ciprocated gravely yet not ungraci- you to every part of the civilised, ously. I wish to see Dame Nellie," and, judging by some of the news, I said in tones of perfumed oll the uncivilised world. Such is the standard of efficiency to which newspaper production has

"Her ladyship is not at home. "answered Thomison in tones of been icing-sugar and arsenic.

Then, with a certain imperioustiersseilles (July 30).

Gipsy left Barcelona for Mar-

in his tone, he said, "I enjoyed Grenville arrived Barcelona (July your performance, put you took the 29).

latter part of the arfa in the final Harrier, Hussar and Skipjack left scene too slowly!

Portland for Chatham (July 30)

Keith and Grafton arrived Bar- celona (Júly 29).

(Contioned on Page 11.)

Ripon. 48th Divisional E.E. Bwynnerton-137th (Stafford- shire) Infantry Brigade and 46th Divisional R.A.S.C.

Arundel No. 1 City of London (Yeomanry Battery. R.HA, 90th Field Brigade, RA, 1st (London) Infantry Brigade, and 23rd (Lon- don) Armoured Car Company.

Warminster-Inns of Court Re-

giment.

(Continued on Page 10)

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