RESIGNATION OF DR. DALTON

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25346, 20 November 1947, Page 7

RESIGNATION OF DR. DALTON

LABOUR ATTITUDE TO BUDGET LEAKAGE “GROWING HOSTILITY TO PRESS ” (From E. G. WEBBER, Special Correspondent NJZ.PA.) (Rec. 7 pan.) LONDON, November 18. With the exception of papers and periodicals which customarily support the Government, the circumstances of Dr. Hugh Dalton’s resignation from the Chancellorship of the Exchequer have brought to a head the growing feeling of nostility in Government political circles towards the British press. It would not be true to say that the atmosphere between the press and Parliament has seldom been worse; but it is true to say that relations between the press and the Government political organisation have seldom been more frigid. This does not apply to the Opposition, which is naturally strongly on the side of the press in the present situation. Behind the scenes there is strong Labour resentment at the part played by the particular newspaper involved in Dr. Dalton’s resignation, and fears have already been expressed that this resentment may lead to a general witch-hunt directed against the press as a whole. It is certain that, in addition to a debate upon the Dalton case if and when the inquiry is completed, the Labour members will demand a full scale debate upon the press at an early date. The opportunity for this will occur when the postponed motion moved alter the expulsion of Mr Allighan is raised in the House. This motion, standing in the name of Mr Herbert Morrison, would give Parliament power to exclude from its precincts any newspaperman found guilty of offering payment for the disclosure of Parliamentary information. When the motion was first put by Mr Morrison it was criticised from both sides of the House, but there are indications that the volume of Labour opposition has been at least considerably diminished by recent events. Attitudes of Press

A number of causes have contributed to the tense atmosphere now prevailing. The chief of them undoubtedly is the tact that the editorial policy of a considerable proportion of the British newspapers and periodicals hap been persistently critical of the Government. But on the side of that considerable section of the press which has maintained an objective policy there is also resentment, created by the manner in which the Government has pressed home its decision to set up a Royal Commission of inquiry on the newspapers and periodicals of the country. The feeling has been expressed by several of these newspapers that certain elements in the Labour Party regard the commission as a threat with which to hold press criticism in check. However, the great majority of the newspapers have accepted the Royal Commission with reasonable equanimity and have done what has been possible to meet its requirements. There have followed, however, charges of breach of privilege against the two Labour members, Mr Evelyn Walkden and Mr Garry Allighan, as a result of which the former has been expelled from the Labour Party and the latter from, the House. Many Labour members consider that the two newspapers which paid these members for information should not escape penalties more severe than a reprimand. This feeling is accentuated by the belief that the whole Labour movement has to some extent been brought into disrepute by these two cases, and resentment at the fact that the party in addition has had an extremely unwelcome by-election forced upon it. “Confidence Shaken” The resignation of Dr. Dalton, coming hard on the heels of the Allighan case, has consolidated and intensified this feeling. Suggestions have even been made that the longstanding and almost traditional privileges of Parliamentary lobby correspondents at Westminster should be withdrawn, and that various other measures should be taken to restrict the news-gathering facilities of the newspapers in the political field. It is improbable that these suggestions will lead to anything, but there is nevertheless no doubt that the confidence which previously existed between the Parliamentary lobbyists and the Government side in Parliament has been badly shaken, and that tact and restraint will be necessary on both sides if it is to be restored. One reported incident has also done a great deal to increase bad feeling. This is the manner in which one Sunday newspaper, noted for its critical attitude to the Government, reported the wedding last Saturday t iL\ me Minister's daughter, Miss Janet Attlee. There is strong feeling m Labour circles that this article which referred to Mr Attlee “patiently holding a bunch of pink carnations.’’ and which was at pains to emphasise the security precautions taken for the wedding, ventured rather too freely i™ domestic sphere and put the Prime Minister and his family in an light V ° Urable and slightly ridiculous