MOVEMENTS OF SHIPS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 204, 28 August 1943, Page 6

MOVEMENTS OF SHIPS

TOO MUCH LOOSE TALK MR. J. T. PAUXi'S STATEMENT (P.A.) WELLINGTON, this day. When asked to-night whether he had any comment to make on the latest prosecution for breaches of the censorship regulations and the comments by Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., the Director of Publicity, Mr. J. T. Paul, said there was no mystery whatever about these matters- The magistrate had asked who was responsible for the prosecutions, and was reported to have said he understood the Director of Publicity was the departmental head, but, he added, "He disclaims privilege.

"What I did say was that obviously the Director of Publicity could have nothing to do with these prosecutions, the first intimation of which I read in the Press," said Mr. Paul. "I have plainly stated that I have nothing whatever to do with mails or any prosecutions arising out. of statements in correspondence. I am, however, emphatically of the opinion that all responsible people should be discouraged from discussing either in letters or by word of mouth anything relating to the movements of ships. Even after four years of war there is still- too much careless talk, and there are too many idle rumours in circulation. A careless word may be a cross to someone."