A “WASH-OUT”

Grey River Argus, 14 August 1944, Page 5

A “WASH-OUT”

AUSTRALIAN CENSORSHIP COMPLAINTS. (Rec. 7.30) SYDNEY, Aug 12 No sensational disclosures marked the judicial inquiry into Australia’s communications censorship', which just concluded, before the Chief Justice oi Queensland, Sir William Webb. The Commissioner has anounced he will lose no time in fowarding his report to Mr. Curtin. The inquiry into the comunications censorship was taken over by Sir Wm. Webb after an allparty Parliamentary committee ot inquiry had been disbanded. Twice the judicial investigation was adjourned for lack of evidence. All the available evidence was called said Mr. A. M. Fraser, who assisted the Commissioner. In spite of numerous allegations having been published about telephone tapping and mail-prying and "snooping,” al except two of the persons who had ma'ue those alegations were conspicuous by their absence from tn & inquiry. Referring to evidence given by censorship officers, Mr. Fraser said the whole of the procedure adopted had been explained, and it had been shown that there was no oppressive use of the communications censorship powers. The only matter which might occasion public concern was a possibility of information taken from letters getting into the hands of other than the proper bodies, such as trade competitors. However safeguards were taken against such a possibility. Sir M. Webb said that the Australian communications censorship followed the same lines as that in Britain. Its legitimate scope has been, well stated in the interim reports, of the all-party parliamentary committee (whose r.ecomendations were, im-. mediately put into torce by Curtin) He could not suggest any further improvements. The president of the Australian , Constitutional Association. Doctor r. Louat, said: “Owing to uniquely adroit political handling which this question has had, there is probably nothing left for the Commissioner to do.” ‘ _____