SINKING OF LINER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 250, 30 July 1940, Page 5

SINKING OF LINER.

DELAYS IN ANNOUNCEMENT.

CRITICISM IN THE PRESS

LONDON, July 29

The “Daily Mail” in a leading article says: “The official delay in releasing the news of the less of the British liner. Laneastria (16,243 tons) has very badly affected public opinion l . It seems an outstanding example of the: stupidity of some official mind. “The Laneastria was sunk on June 17. Within a few days of the disaster •hundreds of thousands of British X>eoplei knew it was time, because they heard stories from the survivors. The losses were exaggerated as the tale spread, but it was not until July 24 that the news was first published in New York, after which the Ministry of Information permitted the British newspapers to circulate news which they had known for five weeks. “The service departments w«ro doubtless primarily responsible for the delay, but it was the business of the Ministrv of Information to urge in the national interests the earliest release', of good or bad 1 news. “Tho. Ministry essays many roles—sometimes tire nosey parker, sometimes the benevolent uncle, sometimes the schoolmaster, but rajrely is it a source cf worthwhile information.”