WHO ARE THE DICTATORS?

Evening Star, Issue 22720, 6 August 1937, Page 13

WHO ARE THE DICTATORS?

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— Many correspondents try to show that tiio Government has created freedom of tho air by throwing itself open to criticism with the broadcasting of Parliament. They conveniently overlook the fact that the debates during which the greatest criticism of the Government was voiced were not put on the air. Those included the increases in taxation, in which tho Opposion drew attention to the fact that the increases imposed on incomes approximating those of the Labour Ministers were remarkably, small in comparison with others of greater and lesser amounts. There is not much freedom of tho air about that. Mr Hamilton’s attitude in connection with' broadcasting bears more than favourable comparison with that of the Socialists now in power. Under the previous Administration no controversial ‘Subjects were discussed over the air at all, and the then Government never once .usdd the radio to put its own case. Contrast that with the present policy of bringing the B stations under Government control in direct contravention of a solemn election promise. This is, of course, so that they may be muzzled. Opponents of Socialism are denied the right to state their case over tho radio,. yet for weeks past one Government station has been pouring forth disguised pro-Government propaganda, and that under the cloak of a so-called religious broadcast. Nor is -the attempt to muzzle the views of Government opponents confined to radio. It is now common knowledge that over the signature of Mr Chapman, Socialist M.P. for Wellington North, there was issued a statement to printing trade workers that the time was coming when they may be asked to refuse to assist technically in the publication of any matter inimical to the present Government. That, statement appeared in a trades union publication not publicly circulated. We all know of another favourite Labour method, which is to shout down opponents when the latter address public meetings, .and we still remember how a gang of opponents forcibly prevented' a supporter of Mr Doidge from addressing an open-air meeting during the recent Manukau election: The speaker suffered personal violence, and it is significant that his assailants wore never prosecuted. Why, even prominent visitors to our shores must not say_ anything derogatory against our Socialist Government. Freedom of the air, yes—hot air for themselves.—l am, etc., Fair Play. August 5.