ATTACKS ON THE PRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 114, 17 May 1938, Page 6

ATTACKS ON THE PRESS.

The anvil chorus of attack upon the Press of New Zealand by members of the Labour Party was joined by the Hon. Walter Nash last night, when he made a scries of one-sided and ungenerous charges against newspapers | which have given to him and to his party very'; full and fair reports of what they have said ! both in and out of Parliament. It may be that ! tone or two papers have criticised Government measures and proposals with undue severity, but the Press as a whole should not be included in one sweeping condemnation. Some of Mr. iNash's own colleagues are very quick to pile : ecorn and invective on those who fail to see j the imprint of perfection upon all that they do or think, while they bitterly resent any comment upon their own proposals unless it is {

entirely favourable. There is no occasion for this sensitiveness, and for making and taking every opportunity which, can be imagined for a renewal of attacks of which the public must by now be getting very tired. Some of Mr. Nash's charges were general, and therefore cannot be replied to in detail; others are effectively answered by the manager of the Press Association in this issue. The newspapers contribute very largely to the cost of the Dominion's telegraph and telephone services, their work is very easily handled, for most of the messages go to a dozen or more papers, each of which pays the full Press rate upon e\, ry word, and the traffic by night assists to keep telegraphic facilities open to the general public over a longer period than would otherwise be possible. The newspapers disseminate the news and sayings of the Labour Government with as great fullness as was ever accorded any other Government, and with an impartiality which only blind prejudice could fail to observe.