Freedom Of The Press: Labour M.P. Suggests Inquiry

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 July 1947, Page 2

Freedom Of The Press: Labour M.P. Suggests Inquiry

(P.A.-) WELLINGTON, July 30. . “Very careful consideration” by the Government of whether an inquiry into the ownership and financial control of New Zealand metropolitan newspapers was necessary was promised by the Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) in a written reply to a question from Dr A. M. Finlay (Government, North Shore) in the House of Representatives today. Dr Finlay had asked for an inquiry like that ill Britain with a view to assuring the people of New Zealand that they enjoyed the greatest possible freedom of the press. . . . Mr Fraser, in his written rebly,. said the freedom of the press was obviously of great importance. It could not in any fair or understandable sense be confined to the right of the proprietors of newspapers to publish whatever matter they might decide should be published, but must include the acceptance and discharge by them of the high responsibility of ensuring that there was a fair selection of news and a fair representation of views in their columns.

No Wish to Muzzle Press. Dr. Finlay, discussing the Prime Minister’s reply, said he had no wish to gag or muzzle the press. An Opposition member: Oh, don’t you? . • Dr Finlay said he believed there was a measure of widespread cynicism where the freedom of the press was concerned. There was need to inquire whether the press was as free as it could possibly be. Mr A. S. Sutherland (Opposition, Hauraki): You’ve got your orders from the Labour Federation. Dr Finlay said the newspapers, in New Zealand had no choice in foreign news services other than the service which came through the New Zealand Press Association, and there was need for an inquiry into that position. To his knowledge there was not one New Zealand newspaper which had a fulltime correspondent overseas. Those who did act as overseas correspondents for New Zealand daily newspapers had to send their news by airmail so as not to infringe the newspapers’ agreement with the Press Association. There was need for a greater diversification in the sources of foreign news. Mr C. M. Bowden (Opposition, Karori): We have an ambassador in Moscow and we have never’ heard from him. (Opposition laughter).

More Space for Labour Members Mr F. IV. Doidge (Opposition, Tauranga) said no one knew better than the Prime Minister‘that New Zealand newspapers had a high standard from every point of view. For instance, Government members consistently received far more space in the news columns than did members of the Opposition. That was only right, but it showed that the newspapers were thoroughly fair. Mr Doidge said the Government had always hated and feared criticism and would like to get control of the newspapers as it had of the broadcasting system. It could then make newspaper editors into “yes-ihen” similar to those “yes-men” sitting on the Government benches.

Mr Doidge criticised instances of what he termed unwarranted censorship by the Government during the war and recalled the observation of the Chief Justice that the powers of the war-time Director of Publicity exceeded the powers of the Pontiff. Mr G. H. O. Wilson (Government, Palmerston North) said he was sorry the Prime Minister had not undertaken to have an inquiry forthwith into press ownership. Freedom of ownership of the press was not to be confused —as the Opposition seemed to confuse it —with freedom of the press. Freedom of ownership meant that more and more newspapers passed into the hands of fewer and fewer persons. Ownership of Press It was true that the ownership of the press in New Zealand was fairly widespread, but no newspaper could function without being a memblr of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association, which existed not to provide a better service to the public but to ensure greater profits. Mr Wilson said a restriction prevented newspapers which subscribed to the New Zealand Press Association from taking any other cable service and claimed that the sole purpose of this restriction was to maintain newspapers’ profits. All the important newspapers in Australia and Britain had alternative news services available to them, but the commercial ownership and outlook in New Zealand restricted that freedom.

CONFERENCE OF ALE CLASSES TO DISCUSS

INDUSTRIAL PROBLEM (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 30. The Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) has decided to call a conference of all classes and sections of the country to consider what can be done to improve industrial relations, increase production, and help Britain. This was announced by the actingDominion president of Federated Farmers (Mr H. E. Blyde) at the annual conference of the federation in Wellington today. Mr Blyde said he had just been informed of the decision, which was the result of his suggestion to the Prime Minister a few months ago. Mr Blyde wrote to the Prime Minister on March 26 suggesting a conference similar to the 1928 industrial conference.