DISCLOSURE REFUSED

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 6 January 1930, Page 4

DISCLOSURE REFUSED

SOURCE OF INFORMATION JOURNALISTIC PRINCIPLE LOTTERY DESCRIPTION SEQUEL(UiiiteU Pi<-sa Association —ily Electric Telegraph Copyright.! Received 11.15 a.m. to-day. CAPETOWN, Gee. 5. The “Rand Daily Mail” described the drawing of a lottery at a Johannesburg hotel a few weeks ago, and the Minister of Justice, acting under the i'olice Administration Act, ordered an inquiry to which the editor of the “Mail” ancl the reporter were summoned to give evidence. The magistrate held the inquiry in camera. The reporter admitted authorship, but refused to disclose the names of those present or the hotel where the lottery was drawn. He was warned that refusal involved contempt, tor which there was a penalty of eight days’ imprisonment. To-day the reporter persisted in his attitude, liis solicitor arguing that the whole system of journalism would be undermined if the police could insist on journalists revealing sources of information given confidentially. The inquiry was adjourned until Wednesday. The Minister of Justice states that the law must take its course.

The annual congress of journalists at Bloemfontein pledged moral and financial support in defence of the great principle.