CENSORSHIP ALLEGED

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29234, 18 June 1960, Page 11

CENSORSHIP ALLEGED

Phone Call From Rhodesia (HZ. Press Association—Copyright) BULAWAYO (Rhodesia), June 16. A Rhodesian businessman has complained that a telephone operator warned him during a recent international call that he would be cut off if he mentioned the African troubles. Mr R. A. Illingworth, managingdirector of Car Market, Ltd., which imports and distributes cars and trucks and which has branches throughout Southern Rhodesia, told the "Bulawayo Chronicle” the operator interrupted a telephone Conversation, to the company's chairman in London. "Do not mention native troubles, or you will be cut off.” she told him. “And when I reconnect you with London, don't tell the person to whom you are speaking what I have said.” Mr Illingworth told the newspaper: “I was so astonished I did not even remonstrate. It is pretty frightening if this sort of thing is going on.” The Federal Minister of Posts (Mr Frank Owen) told the newspaper that no telephone censorship was in operation, and any remarks such as those quoted by Mr Illingworth were unauthorised. If a Post Office employee had made such an interjection, disciplinary action would be • taken.