WHEN WAR COMES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 26, 10 November 1936, Page 8

WHEN WAR COMES.

HOW THE PRESS SUFFERS. Evidence against any suggestion that British newspapers might be influenced bv material considerations to incite the nation to war, or to advocate th© manufacture of arms, was given Jb.y Mr Esmond Harmsworth, chairman of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association, before the British Arms Commission sitting under the chairmanship of Sir John Eidon Banlces. Mr Harmsworth was speaking on behalf of 227 national morning, evening, and Sunday newspapers. “Not one of the members of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association is connected, either directly or indirectly, with any armament firm,” said Mr Harmsworth. “Not one of the directors of any of the companies who are members of our association is interested in any armament firm or firms. “Not one of the majority shareholders of the said companies is personally interested in any armament firm or firms. “Advertising carried by the national newspapers paid for by armament firms is negligible. “There never has been—-there is not —and there never will be—any pressure of any kind which armament firms could possibly bring to bear, either directly or indirectly on national newspapers which could influence their policy in any way. Costs and Revenue. “No industry in the country is probably more adversely affected by an outbreak of war than the newspapers. “Although in Avar it may happen that the demand for neAvspapers is increased, it is unnecessary for me to inform you that the profits of neAvspapers do not arise from their sales but from their advertising revenue. This advertising revenue rvould immediately be affected adversely. “During the late war, besides the shrinkage in revenue caused by the falling-off of advertisements, the nervspaper industry had to cope Avith a tremendous increase in the cost of rarv materials. “During the Avar the average price of stereotype metal increased from £32 Is to £56 a ton; linotype metal, from £23 10s to £45; newsprint, from £9 6s Sd to £45 10s; sulphite pulp, from £7 5s to £6O; and mechanical pulp, from 42s to £3ss. “These figures will give an indication of the enormous difficulties confronting newspaper enterprise in time of wav. “From the motive of purely selfinterest, neAvspapers Avouid' be entitled to oppose any political policy tending toAvard war.”