DISTORTED NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 76, 31 March 1941, Page 3

DISTORTED NEWS.

ENEMY PROPAGANDA. SOME RECENT EXAMPLES, j (o.\ .) WELLINGTON", tiiis day. Ample proof of warning- by the Prime Minister, tile Kt. Hon. P. Fraser, from time to time of the way enemy nations are prepared to seize every opportunity of taking advantage of any information or criticism relating to New Zealand's war effort by placing their own interpretation upon it for propaganda purposes, j.. ojven by recent examples of broadcast distortion. These have been indulged in by Italian and German radio stations, whoso 111e~snj.es relating to New Zealand a- recorded by the 8.8.1', have !iecM cabled to New Zealand by the High Commissioner in London. Mr. \Y. d. Jordan. The liivt propaganda gem came from Runic on March IS in a broadcast in Italian intended for Italy and the Near and Middle Hast in the following terms: "New Zealand political crisis.—The political situation in New Zealand is U'.'coiniiin critical. Attempts to form a Coalition Government have failed, while the Government is trying to keep itself in power by means of specious war propaganda. The Opposition is organising a campaign for the next election kisedj on growing di.-eonteiit throughout the! country at the heavy sacrifices which are being demanded for a war being fought so far from New Zealand, and for interests which do nut directly con-1 cern her."' ' I On March -21 a broadcast from Breslau in Kngiish for Kngland war* made as follows: "New Zealand censorship—Mr. \ Sydney Holland. L-ader of the Opposi- | tion in the New Zealand Parliament, stated on Friday that the Government had introduced wvy strict censorship. The censor has been instructed to ban all news concerning -trikes in New Zealand armament works and to prevent newripit|K>rs from criticising the Government. Mr. Fraser, New Zealand's Prime Minister, said that if he had known Mr. Holland had meant to allude to a strike in armament works, he would have prevented this debate in Parliament. Great Britain has alleged that the struggle for liberty and freedom lias throughout the Kmpire become the sepulchre of the tradition, right and privilege of Britons." The following was broadcast from Dentsehhiiidzenger in German for Germany, a Is,, on March 22: "New Zealand members of Parliament reproved.—A New Zealand member of Parliament tried to criticise tile British war censorship. Ho objected to the Press being forbidden to criticise members of the New Zealand Government. This imprudent M.P. was told by'the Prime Minister, Mr. FYaser, that it was not for Parliament to formuj late a policy; that was the hnisiness of the Government, which was appointed by the London Government."