"THIN-SKINNED."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 134, 9 June 1938, Page 18

"THIN-SKINNED."

LABOUR REBUKED.

SENSITIVE TO CRITICISM.

NEWSPAPERS ARE DEFENDED

(From Our Correspondent.)

CHRISTCHUKCH, Wednesday.

A rebuke to Government members for

being so sensitive to criticism was given by'the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, M.P., in a political address at Woodend as National party candidate for Huru-

nui. He also warned his hearers against condoning any move to restrict the freedom of tlie Press.

Mr. Forbes said that memliers of the Labour Government were "the most thin-skinned men he had ever seen in office." It was well known that the Government was keenly sensitive to any criticism of its actions. The Government actually believed that it should be allowed to make the tremendous change it proposed in New Zealand's social and economic structure without the people or the Press uttering one word of criticism.

"They complain about the newspapers, allepfina- that they are unfair," continued Mr. Forbes. "But tlieir own conception of newspaper fairness seems strange. Take tlieir own journal, tlie 'Standard.' Who can find one single word in that paper commending any Labour opponent? They ought to take the 'Standard' as their criterion of newspaper fairness. If any of the other newspapers could measure up to that in unfairness, then the Government might have reason to complain. Writings Suppressed. "Tlie Press and the people have a duty in this criticism of "the actions of [a Government. All those countries that have got anywhere near to Socialism have seen the suppression of their newspaper Press. All political writings in those places have to be done under State domination. But for the Press it is a vital duty to point out where a Government is wrong.

"As a Government we of the National party put up with as much criticism —indeed, with far more criticism—than ever the Labour Government has had to face," said Mr. Forhes. "We did not complain. Wo recognised that it is the function of the Press to criticise. We felt and still feel that the Press is part and parcel of the freedom of the people, and it would be a bad day. for New Zealand if any attempt were made to curtail that freedom; it. is a freedom common to every part of the Empire and vital to our well-being."