CENSORSHIP DISPUTE

Evening Star, Issue 25168, 6 May 1944, Page 4

CENSORSHIP DISPUTE

CHIEF JUSTICE'S SUGGESTION CONFERENCE OF PARTIES TO ATTEMPT SETTLEMENT Press Association— By Telegraph—Copyright (Rec. 10.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 6. The Chief Justice, Sir John Latham, suggested in the High Court yesterday that the parties in the Press censorship dispute should consider whether instead of proceeding further in a conflict in the courts they should not meet and try to find means of placing the censorship upon a practical basis. The problem would not in any event, ho said, be completely solved by any process of litigation. The hearing was adjourned sine die and the Attorney-General, Dr Evatt. announced subsequently, that while ha had nothing to say about the merits of the present litigation the Government, in accordance with the Chief Justice's suggestion, would make an attempt to settle all existing disputes. The whole question would be reviewed by the Commonwealth iu a spirit which was obviously actuated by the spontaneous suggestion of the Chief Justice.

The president of the Australian Newspaper Proprietors' Association. Mr 11. A. Henderson, said the newspapers' stand was taken in what they believed to be the national interestThey would try to meet the Chief Justice's suggestion in every possible way short of surrender oi what believed to be vital principles.