Not Seeking Newspapers

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31305, 27 February 1967, Page 3

Not Seeking Newspapers

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, February 26.

When Lord Thomson was asked the purpose of his visit to New Zealand, he smiled and said: “I’m here to buy half a dozen newspapers—do you know of any for sale?”

But later, Lord Thomson, an unsuccessful bidder for control of the “Dominion,” the Wellington morning newspaper, in 1964, said he was always prepared to do business in New Zealand but the News Media Ownership Act “ruled out newspapers.”

Lord Thomson’s visit is to meet the staffs of his trade and technical magazine interests.

Countries of the British Commonwealth should stop leaning on Britain and do more to help themselves, Lord Thomson said. " He said it was essential for Britain to join the European Economic Community, “for her own good.” The world was breaking up into trading units and it was inevitable that Britain, which was part of Europe, would join the E.E.C. Lord Thomson said that the present economic condition of Britain was the main bar to her immediate admission to the E.E.C.

Economic measures by the Labour Government, however, were on the right lines. “I’m a Tory,” said Lord Thomson.

“But 1 admire Wilson and I like what he’s doing—particularly with Labour. He’s got guts. He’s doing what the Tories should have done and probably couldn’t do.”