DRIVE FOR SECRECY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 107, 1 November 1941, Page 10

DRIVE FOR SECRECY

A NEW CAMPAIGN

THE SAFETY OF SHIPPING

"DON'T TALK"

Designed to impress upon the. people of New Zealand the vital necessity of preventing the enemy knowing the things he would like to know, a "Don't Talk" campaign is being launched by the Government. For a start the campaign will be concentrated on the safety of shipping.

The decision to make the drive for secrecy was reached at a meeting of the War Publicity Committee held on September 3, and at a subsequent conference of Navy, Army, and Air Force representatives it was decided that the first aim of the compaign should be the safety of shipping. .

. The secrecy of ship movements and the additional safety such secrecy gives to people and goods on. the sea are particularly important to • a country surrounded by the sea, as New Zealand is. The campaign is to be one of the most " comprehensive war publicity drives yet organised in New Zealand. The Press, radio, and posters will be used, and tomorrow night at 8.45 the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) will fire the first shot with a broadcast over the national and commercial network. After explaining the purpose of the campaign, Mr. Jones will introduce a military intelligence officer, who will discuss, from his point of view, the necessity for silence. The distribution of posters will be by postmen, but in all centres throughout the Dominion where the Women's War Service Auxiliary operates, delivery will be by members of the auxiliary. For -.this purpose it is asked that-employers allow the girls sufficient time off next Monday. In many centres the auxiliary, "in co-operation with the Army, authorities, is-arranging parades for the purpose of focusing attention on the campaign.. Posters will be generally distributed in all business centres, but .. especially displayed; in places .Where people forgather and indulge in more than ordinary casual conversation. A special appeal is made to all people to whom the posters are delivered to display them' where they can be seen most frequently and by the greatest number of people.