PROPAGANDA FOR GOVERNMENT

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25954, 7 November 1949, Page 8

PROPAGANDA FOR GOVERNMENT

USE OF TAXPAYERS’ MONEY ALLEGED (New Zealand Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 5.

The charge that the contest for the Miramar seat was being fought by the Government with expensive propaganda printed, put in envelopes and posted in the guise of official documents at the taxpayers’ expense was made by the National Party candidate. Mr C. H. Taylor. Mr Taylor said two beautifullyprinted and elaborate pamphlets issued by the Government were being given away at Labour meetings. Their cost, he considered, would not be less than 2s each. Both boosted the work done by the Works Department and the Ministry of Works under the Labour Government, the inference being that no public works of note had been done under other Governments.

The pamphlets. “Hydro-electric Power” and “Men Machines.” were accompanied by a more direct propaganda strip entitled “Blueprint for Prosperity.” That group of publications had been posted to a teacher at a leading school in the Miramar electorate in an envelope marked “On His Majesty’s Service” and “Parliament Buildings. Official paid. Office of the Minister of Housing.” “Why should the taxpayers’ money be used to support my opponent in the contest for Miramar?” Mr Taylor asked. “I protest, and I hope this is known all over New Zealand. It is unfair.”