BOOK CONTROVERSY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 69, 22 March 1941, Page 5

BOOK CONTROVERSY

REPLY TO STRICTURES HON. BARNARD'S COMMENT. (P.A.) WELLINGTON", Friday. Tile position of the National Council of the New Zeatand Institute of International Affairs, in relation to the work '"Cun temporary New Zealand," was defined l>v the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon. W. K. Barnard, in his eapacity as president of the institute, in a statement issued to-night. "In view of Mr. Downie Stewart's adequate reply to the strictures of -Mr. Frank Milner on 'Contemporary New Zealand.'" said Mr. Barnard, "it was not considered necessary for the National Council to take official and public notice of Mr. Milner's e-tatements, although all members of the council whom 1 have consulted strongly disapproved of Air. Milner's intemporate language.

"However, as Air. Milner lias since revived the controversy which he originated. I, as president of the institute, lind it necessary to make clear to the public the position of the institutein relation to the work. Policy of Institute. "On (he page of the book whicll precedes 1 he (able of contents, the nOitude of Ihe institute is plainly slated in the following words; "The New Zealand Institute of internal ioiial Allaire is an uuoflicial and non-political body established to promote an understanding of international quest ions and problems, particularlv as these may relate to New Zealand, the British Commonwealth and the countries of the l'acifie area. " 'The institute as such is precluded by its constitution from expressing an opinion upon any aspect of any question or problem. Any opinions expressed in this publication are not, therefore, the views of the institute.' "-Mr. Milner. as a member of the institute, is well acquainted with this declaration of the position of the institute in resjK'ct to publications under its auspices, including 'Contemporary New Zealand.' and the use by him of exaggerated terms of condemnation of the institute for sponsoring the book is more regrettable and inexcusable," Mr. Barnard added. Warning Not in Book. "Mr. Milner himself was one of the contributors to the book, and knows quite well the introductory note to it contains this warning or qualification: 'It must not l>e assumed that all the contributors concur in all the views expressed in the book.' The institute follows the best British traditions in discussing fundamental problems from all angles and in encouraging full and frank expression of dill'ering points of view. "As president of the institute," Mr. Barnard concluded, "I would point out that Mr. Milner, as member of it and a.s a contributor to the book in question, has responsibilities to the institute and also to his fellow-contributors which he I appears to have completely ignored in I hU recent public utterances."