General Election

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31225, 24 November 1966, Page 16

General Election

Sir, —I was very pleased to read your excellent leading article, “Buying British.” The N.A.C. has brought out a quite remarkable booklet strongly in favour of the American plane. Boeing could not have done a better propaganda job themselves. Three Boeing 7375, it appears, could carry as many passengers as four B.A.C. 1-11’s at a slightly lower cost, but no mention is made of the advantages of having four planes instead of three larger ones. The B.A.C. 1-11 is a thoroughly tested plane with 100 models giving excellent service in all parts of the world. I believe it will be two years or more before the Boeing is even flying. There may possibly be certain advantages in a later plane and a slightly lower cost but these facts will not count for much when it comes to bargaining for free entry of our lamb and butter, worth over £lOO million per annum to this United Kingdom market. —Yours etc.

SANDFORD CRITCHLEY. Kekerengu, November 20, 1966.

Sir,—lt is disturbing to find such undisguised bias as has been displayed by your leading articles of late. Granted, the editorial is one place where a newspaper can make a stand on issues and attempt to influence public thinking by reasonable argument; but, assuming that “The Press” is endeavouring to encourage mature and rational thinking, its stand should be made by fair presentation of all aspects of an issue, without bias or suppression, and the paper’s position should then emerge as reasonable and obvious. Anything less than this indicates editorial lack of confidence in the basis of his stand. For example, when a party proposes to increase old-age benefits and help superannuitants whose income has remained static i while inflation continues, only a bigot or a cynic would ask, “Where is the money coming from?” without first applauding the moves and acknowledging their necessity. Bias is contemptible and immature.—Yours, etc., ALLAN C. WATSON. November 23, 1966.