CENSORSHIP OF LETTERS

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23111, 29 August 1940, Page 6

CENSORSHIP OF LETTERS

Criticism of Policy Allowed MR FRASER EXPLAINS WHAT IS CUT OUT [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, August 28. “Complaint is made that whole pages re cut out of letters that contain nothing subversive or hostile to the Government,” said Mr W. A. Bodkin (Opposition, Central Otago) in asking aii urgent question of the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) in the House 10-day on the censorship of letters. Mr Bodkin asked Mr Fraser whether he would inform the House on what principles the censor dealt with letters going overseas, and whether reasonable comment and criticism on the Government’s policy and public affai's was allowed. The Prime Minister replied that comment or criticism of the Government policy and public affairs was permitted by the censorship, which was only interested in removing from letters any reference to defence matters • and movements of British shipping. “In the first stages of the censorship.” said Mr Fraser, “som confusion in regard to its scope arose, and letters were cut unnecessarily, but this was dealt with by myself many months ago. Since that time I am informed that nothing has been cut out of letters except references dangerous to the war effort.”