CENSORSHIP ON MAIL NOTICES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4768, 16 January 1918, Page 5

CENSORSHIP ON MAIL NOTICES.

MATTER TO BE INQUIRED INTO

Press Association Telegram,

CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 15

A great deal of inconvenience is caused to business people and others in tlie Dominion- by the censorship regulation which forbids, the publication of any information regarding the arrival and departure of overseas mails. In Australia a less tight rein is kept on the censorship and the newspapers there regularly announce arrivals or departures as long as three or four days ahead of the expected event.

Tlie matter was brought to the notice of Sir Joseph Ward to-day, and in reply lie said lie liad been considering the matter during tlie last day or so. Personally, lie could see no reason at all why in New Zealand the same procedure should not be followed as in Australia, but lie pointed out that the regulations controlling the censorship here were in the hands of the Defence Department. He realised that longer notice of the arrival and departure of mails would be of benefit to the public generally, and if Australia could give it without danger he thought we could do so here. He'had already made up his. mind to communicate with the Minister for Defence on the matter and bring it before Cabinet, and- lie believed a change tint would he satisfactory to all concerned could he made.