SILLY SECRECY

Grey River Argus, 30 July 1940, Page 7

SILLY SECRECY

BRITISH NEWS BAN

On “Lancastria” Disaster

LAus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.J (Received July 29, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON. July 29

The “Daily Mail,” in a leading article, says: The official delay in releasing the ne.ws of the los§ of tne troopship “Lancastria,” whicn occurred on June 17 has very badly affected public opinion. It seems an outstanding example of the stupidity or som e oiricial mind. The “Lancastria" was sunk on June 17. Within a few days of the disaster hundreds of thousands of the British people knew that it was true, because they heara the stories from the survivors. Ine losses were exaggerated as the taic spread, but it was n °t un tA July “4 that the news was first published. That was in New York. After that th e Ministry of Information permitted the British newspapers to circulate the news, of which they had known for five weeks. The, service departments were doubtless primarily responsible for the delay, but it 'S the business of the Ministry of information to urge, in the national interests, for the earliest release of good news or bad news. The Ministry of Information essays many roles. Sometimes it is that of a "Nosey Parker”; sometimes it i s the “Benevolent Uncle,” and sometimes that of schoolmaster, but rarely is it the source of worth-while information.