PRESS v. LABOUR

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1938, Page 5

PRESS v. LABOUR

“DOMINION” LETTERS

Mr Nash Accepts Staff

Assurance

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, May 18

In a statement this evening the Minister for Finance (Hon. W. Nash) referred to a letter published to-day, in which the literary staff of the “Dominion” took exception to the Minister’s remark at Lower Hutt on Monday, that “the staff of the ‘Dominion’ are instructed to write letters to the editor, condemning the Government.” Mr Nash said: "I accept the assurance of the writers of the letter published in this morning’s paper that no member of the staff has ever been instructed by' the editor or the management to write letters to the editor on any' subject whatever, much less on politics.” A VAIN HOPE! The Minister added; “It. would be helpful to good journalism if a like assurance could be given that no letter published in the ‘Dominion’ originated in the ‘Dominion’ office, and that all anonymous letters published in the ‘Dominion’ were bona fide readers writing to the editor entirely independent of the ‘Dominion’ or the National Party.” ANONYMITY DEFENDED. Commenting editorially, the “Dominion” says: “It is to the credit oi Mr Nash that he now admits the paucity of the charge he made against this paper and its staff. It would | have been still more to his credit had ‘he allowed the matter to rest there. Both the National Party and the Labour Party, also supporters of those parties have at different times, written letters to this paper, and their letters have been published. No correspondence is inspired, as is suggested by the Minister, in this office. Correspondence is inspired, as is suggested by Ihe Minister in this office. Correspondents who prefer to write anonymously, and who deal with questions of public interest are. within reason, as much entitled to air their opinions in the public press as they 4ire to exercise their votes under the ■secrecy of the ballot-box. It is necessary, at times, as a safeguard against victimisation —more necessary' to-day perhaps, than ever.”