MINISTRY OF INFORMATION

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 84, 3 January 1940, Page 5

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION

What Australia Is Doing A CORKESI’ONDENTS SUGGESTION (To the Editor.) Sir, —-The editorial in "Tiie Dominion” of December 2tt: “Government, Parliament and the War,” correctly states "those who have had an opportunity of following tiie proceedings of the House of Commons as reported in the British Press since tiie war began, cannot have failed to have been deeply impressed by tiie high quality, of the co-operation ami team-work in evidence. In Australia a Department of Information Inis been set up by tile Commonwealth Government eon-eeriied otti.-' with the successful prosei-tilion of tiie war. AVby not establish a Departnn-nt oi’ Infot'inat'ion in this Dominion? Enclosed is a copy of lainipliiet. "Australia Calls" issued by tiie Department of Information. —1 am. etc-. T. A. FBASEIt. Wellington, December 29. DEPT. OF INFORMATIONS FUNCTIONS The pamphlet referred to by our correspondvnt reads: — There are tin any people in the community who still have a confused impression about, the real functions of the Department. of Information set. up by the

Conuuuuwealtb Goveinment under tiie .Minister lor Imormation, Sir Henry Guiiett. In Hie first place, it should ue eieariy uudeistoud lliat me new department is concerned only witli the successlul pro-recution of the war, with, particular reierem-e to Australia’s part. As (tie i'rime Atiiiistcr, Air. Menzies, and Sir Henry tiuilett have empuasized, the department lias not been estaplisued to serve any ,political party, but is to do service ot a naltomil emirueter. In this way tile problems ot the whole community and of Australia concerning the war become the problems of the Di-ipartmeiit of luformaAs Minister, Sir Fleury Gruliclt has uppeated for the support of ail sections, irre.-ipeetive of party or creed, to ensure mat the same national unity displayed ill Australia's entry into (be war is maintained in tiie prosecution of tiie eoiillict. Al. tiie meetings already held in Hie various States, tiie Alinister was abie brielly tv explain the broad purpose vl the Department of Information's plans. Each and every organization in Australia can co-operate in a practical way, not only witli tiie department, but it ea:i contribute substantially toward Australia’s efforts in tiie successful prosecution of tiie war. By providing reliable information tiie department is confident of being alile to remove misumlerstamliugs amt thus avert confusion during tiie Present iritieal period. By maintaining Hie closest contact witli I lie department, esieli organization can assist in a notable way. Because of, their intimate association witli members, organizations are in a position readily to advise on questions that require clarification. It is information of this character which tile department will promptly supply, either for publication in tiie newsiiaiiers or journals of organizations. or for use at meetings. Any siiggestioiis. either of a publicity or other nature, or problems that require solution will receive tin- earel'ul attention of tiie department. To facilitate approach and to ensure smooth working, the department seeks tiie i-o-opcration of existing organizational inaeliinery. It is not desired in

any way to establish duplicate Organization. In tiie setting tqi of committees, tile deputy-direelors in eaeii State will •pay close attention to community interest, so tlnit groii]is of organizations may work in harmony witli tiie department. It is desired that in each group a cuti’.mittee will lunctioii to attend to the re-<iuireini-nts of the group.' Central or-g.-inizatiou in the form of a council representative of tiie various groups will inset up in each Stale to advise on matters of .general interest ami to deal witli important questions as they arise. The formation of group committees ami State Councils is merely to provide a broad basis of organization through which -tiie department can operate with rapidity on matters of general interest and mutual concern. In the successful prosecution of tiie war there, is an important function for each individual am! each organization to perform. No effort, no'matter how small it may appear, to ensure victory, will lie discouraged. That, is tiie motto ot tiie ilepartnient.