THE NORTHCLIFFE PRESS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4816, 13 March 1918, Page 5

THE NORTHCLIFFE PRESS.

INFLUENCE ON WAR POLICY. DEBATE. IN THE COMMONS THE PROPAGANDA APPOINTMENT. PREMIER, PROMISES TO USE CARE. Reuter’s Telegrams, (Received Alarch 12, 8 p.m.) LONDON, Alarch 11. In the House of Commons, replying to Mr. Chamberlain, the Premier disagreed with the contention that the owners and directors of newspapers should not hold Aiinisterial office. He said! Lord Northcliffe held no Aiinisterial office, while Lord Rothermero and Lord Beaverbroolc gave up all direction of their papers as soon as appointed Ministers. Lord ilotliermere had already reorganised an important department of the War Office, and his administration-thereof was an unqualified success. Lord Beaverbrook had organised! Canadian propaganda, which was most successful. The Premier emphasised the importance of propaganda, which the enemy used with deadly' effect in Russia and in Italy... Lord Nortlicliffe, ho said, had made a special study of conditions in the enemy countries, and no man better qualified 1 to direct propaganda in enemy countries could be found in the British Empire. Government propaganda in all ether Allied countries and Germany was conducted almost exclusively by experienced newspaper men, and, despito tho inevitable prejudice which the Government apprehended might bo excited, they concluded that they must follow that example as the only means of securing an effective presentation of the Allied cause. His one object in this, as in all other Government appointments, was to secure tho men best qualified to do tho work effectively.

The Premier reiterated that he was in nowise responsible for the attacks on Admirals and Generals. It. had Fieen suggested that a member of his staff inspired such attacks. He had thoroughly investigated the matter and unhesitatingly declared that tho imputation was utterly unfounded and unjust.i Air. Chamberlain said the (principles laid down by Air. Lloyd-George were satisfactory v but there was too much coincidence between the newspapers’ attacks on Government servants and the removals of the latter. He regretted that the Premier had not made a clean cut and swept away for ever the-atmosphere of suspicion and intrigue. Air. Asquith deplored an organised press campaign in war time against soldiers and sailors. The first, of these was against the late Lord Kitchener, which lie (Air. Asquith) felt most keenly', and consequently advised. the King to bestow tho Order of the Garter on Lord Kitchener at an early opportunity, which His Majesty did. It was of the utmost importance that the Government- be free from suspicion of direct association in the operations of the press, and therefore ho advocated that the Propaganda Department be absolutely -watertight, without any influence on the policy of the Government.

Mr. Lloyd-George, in winding up tho debate, accepted the fundamental principles laid down by Air. Asquith- lie said that after Ins explanation there had been no real challenge of the action of the Government. *■

He concluded with a tribute to Lord Northcliffe, from the standpoint of news organisation, as a man of genius and one of the greatest news organisers in the world.