WHO PAYS FOR PUBLICITY?

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 80, 1 October 1938, Page 8

WHO PAYS FOR PUBLICITY?

(To the Editor.) Sir,— Copies of a brochure, "Social Security," have been delivered to houses of residents throughout New Zealand, presumably by the postman. These are printed at the Government Printing Office, and quite evidently are intended to help bolster up the Labour, Party's case at the forthcoming elec-! tion, particularly as while the benefits) are mentioned, the full cost to the State is not. I and others are wondering if these brochures are paid for out of the party's funds or does the suffering taxpayer have to foot the bill?—I am, etc., ASTONISHED.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I have received a booklet entitled "Social Security," and I was much struck by the coincidence that it arrived just before the election. It is printed by the Government Printer and delivered by the P. and T. Department.

It contains a "vmte-up" by (and for) the Prime Minister of New Zealand. It has rosy word-pictures, but my regret at the absence of illustrations of happy homes (with the tax collector not in the picture) was tempered by the fact that I have to contribute to the cost

I can' only assume that compulsory union contributions do not fully cover party expenses.

In addition to assisting to cover the cost of the above I have also, it would appear, the privilege of contributing to the cost of the Commercial Broadcasting Service. With three stations in Wellington alone and no apparent prospects of a reduction in fees, the only possible reason for the establishment of this service appears to be the weekly " political broadcast —an expensive luxury at the price.

This is, of course, a democracy, but all this is faintly reminiscent of another form of government.—l am, etc.,

NEW ZEALAND BEFORE PARTY.