EMPIRE PRESS UNION

Evening Star, Issue 23816, 21 February 1941, Page 3

EMPIRE PRESS UNION

NEW ZEALAND SECTION MEETS UNDESIRABLE TENDENCIES IN CENSORSHIP SIR HENRY HORTON'S CRITICISM [Per United Press Association.] ROTORUA, February 20. “ Another year of war lias pased since .1 last addressed you, and in that time the serious dangers besetting the JOmpiro have boon inure hilly realised and our hearts go out to the people of Great Britain in admiration of the courage and fortitude with which they are bearing their trials and sufferings, and the grim determination with which thev are putting forth the whole of their strength to achieve a successful result,” said Sir Henry Horton, chairman. in Ids address to the annual meeting of the New Zealand section of the Empire Press Union. Sir Henry added that the newspapers still had a duty to perform in urging that New Zealand’s efforts should be still greater and should in no way lag behind those of the United Kingdom. THE SPIRIT OF BRITAIN. The war had* struck the Empire newspapers very heavily, especially in the matter of newsprint supplies, Sir Henry said. In Britain, in addition to this difficulty, many newspaper plants had been more or loss destroyed by bombing. When the news of the bombing of ‘ The Times ’ bad been published. he had sent a cablegram to Major the Hon. J. J. Astor, president of the Empire Press Union, as follows The New Zealand section expresses sineerest sympathy and admiration of your courage and rconrcefnlness.” He had immediately received the following reply:—“ Ma’ny thanks for the telegram. Much appreciated. 1 The Times ’ is still flourishing and publishing.—John Astor.” “ That was a reply,” Sir Henry observed. “ surely typical of the British spirit.” CENSORSHIP PROBLEMS. “ It must be recognised that in British countries there is fortunately no opportunity in peace time for practical experience of the duties imposed on censors in war time,” Sir Henry said in reference to the censorship. “ The censorship is consequently experimental and mistakes and inconsistencies are certain to occur. Because of their inexperience the officials . should be readily responsive to suggestions for improving the administration of the rules. “ Though there never has been any formal proposal to impose greater restrictions upon the independence ol newspapers in New Zealand, lie j added, “ there is an increasing tend- | eney to suppress information winch < cannot have any military importance, i ’This development has occurred within i the official censorship, A more serious , manifestation is the withholding of information hv persons and institutions j upon the excuse that its- publication j inhdit affect the conduct of. the war or ; disturb the public mind. This nnoffi- | cial censorship is entirely wrong. A censorship is justified solely and exclusively by its assistance towards the successful prosecution of the war. The withholding of information to prevent criticism of the administration ot pub- i lie affairs in the sphere cannot ho j defended, and the newspapers have a dntv to protest strongly whenever they find that the powers vested in the official censorship are being usurped by persons or services having no authority to restrict the freedom of the 1 res?. retirement of chairman. Sir Tlcnrv mentioned that the New Zealand section of the Empire I ress T' ii inn was eelohrntinji.2 its thirtieth birthday this month. Sir .George 1< enwiek had been its chairman for 19 years, and he fSir Henry! had boon chairman for II years. He now felt that the time had arrived when someone ynmurer than himself should take over'the position On the motion of Sir Henry Horton. Sir ("Veil Boys was elected chairman for the ensiling year. Mr C. W. Earle, CMO.. pa ; d a tribute to the service Sir Henry had rendered as chairman, and on his motion a resolution was passed recording the appreciation of members.