THE FREEDOM OF THE AIR

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 69, 19 September 1938, Page 8

THE FREEDOM OF THE AIR

(To the Editor.) Sir, —One reads with astonishment the arrangements laid down s by the Prime Minister for the use of the national stations during the elections. He divides the time available in the ratio of 6 Labour, 4 National, and 2 Independents—and this is fair! And when we think further of the Independents in the House, at least 50 per cent, are camouflaged (more or less thinly) Labour members in reality, so that gives Labour really 7, National 4, true Independents 1. Then (with its usual fairness) Labour has seized on the fact that it holds a majority of seats in Parliament as the basis for this "fair proportion." Well, one wonders in astonishment if Labour has conveniently forgotten that it represents a minority of the voters at last election. When, on top of all this, one reads the Prime Minister's frank declaration that, in addition, he reserves the right to use a still further proportion to combat unfair tactics or "hitting below the belt" (which, of course; could come only from his political opponents)—a privilege to be reserved for himself alone. Well, one is thankful that he has been frank in time, and has shown us fairly plainly just how far his party's ideas are from British fair play.—l am, etc., FAIR PLAY.