FREEDOM OF PRESS

Grey River Argus, 13 May 1943, Page 3

FREEDOM OF PRESS

Need in Wartime

STRONG COMMENT BY AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER HEAD

(Rec. 7.30) SYDNEY, May 12. "While the rights of individuals were being more and more subordinated to the needs of the war. the existence of a free press became increasingly -important,” declaietl Mr R. A. Henderson, president of the Australian Newspaper Proprietors’ Association. He gave warning of the dangers of abuses of the National Security Regulations, under which absolute power had been vested in the members of the Government, who in turn delegated much of their authority to the bureaucracy which, mushroom-like, had grown up almost overnight. "Principles of democracy cannot be disregarded, no matter how great the emergency,” said Mr Henderson, who pointed out that: In the last tew weeks, Australian children had been forced to attend on the manpower authorities, some of them to be directed into industry; by the University quota system, higher education had been suddenly denied to many Australian youths; raids had been made without, warrant on public and private ‘ places. If such regulations were associated with censorship deliberately administered to maintain public morale by depression, then a grave risk was being run of destroying the very fabric of the democratic system, which men were giving their lives to maintain. "We are debarred from questioning the wisdom of the conception of any campaign,” said Mr Henderson. "If a ■ highly-placed officer,, relieved of his command for inefficiency, or, despite inefficiency, is retained, we may not disclose it. I am not questioning the honesty of the Government. I am satisfied that its policy has been inspired by its conception of the national interest, but I assert that it is impossible to achieve an

informed public opinion or be safe against the abuse of the power of the maladministration of bureaucracy, whjje such restrictions are retained. The newspapers devote themselves to service of certain principles, the most important of which are truth and freedom of expression. These must be absolute and inviolate, and upon them there can be no compromise or bargaining. We must stand or fall upon this claim to publish, the news freelv, and to express our views without restraint, subject only to the limits imposed by national security, civil laws and canons of decency and good taste.