Move To Prevent Future Newspaper Stoppages

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27638, 20 April 1955, Page 13

Move To Prevent Future Newspaper Stoppages

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, April 19. The formation of a Free Press Society, which will be staffed by men and women who will give an undertaking never to go on strike, was announced in London last light. It is sponsored initially, among others, by the Liberal peer, Lord Moynihan, and Mr Edward Martell, who holds a com trolling interest in the “Recorder,” a weekly newspaper circulating chiefly in the London area. The Free Press Society is being formed to purchase, maintain and run a fully-equipped printing works, including newspaper presses capable of the output of millions of copies a day, the announcement said.

The announcement added: “Freedom of the press of Great Britain, by which our liberties are buttressed, has passed into the grip of a handful of trade union leaders—the printing unions are undoubtedly the strongest unions in the country. Newspapers, periodicals, books, pamphlets, Government reports and stationery can now only be produced with their consent. “The Free Press, which will not necessarily itself publish a newspaper, will be at the disposal of all who wish to use it, including the Labour Party and trade unions. Its use will be barred only to Communists.” The leaders of 12 press unions, after a three-hour meeting, announced last night that they would meet the newspaper proprietors today in a fresh attempt to settle London’s 26-day-old newspaper strike. This will be the first joint meeting between representatives of the proSrietors and thfc strikers since the reakdown at midnight on Thursday of the Government-sponsored talks to end the dispute.

News for Newspaper Men Since the newspaper strike started, both the “Daily Express” and the “Daily Mail” have published each day a record of events at home and abroad for the benefit of their staffs. The “Daily Express” publication is called “This is the News.” It is printed on foolscap sheets and every edition, which is limited to distribution within the office, runs to about 12 pages. It usually goes to press about 11 p.m. or midnight. But if the news warrants it, a special edition is run off. This was done early last Friday morning so that the newspaper strike talks could be included. The edition was printed at 2.30 a.m. “This is the News” is printed in both the London and Manchester offices of the newspaper so that enterprise and keenness in reporting can be kept alive.

Reporters are sent out on engagements in exactly the same way as if tlje newspapers were publishing. They write their stories not for the “Daily Express” but for “This is the News.” The “Daily Mail” is bringing out a news summary every day on foolscap paper for the staff. It briefly gives news from home and abroad.