PAPERS ATTACKED

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 17030, 3 December 1915, Page 7

PAPERS ATTACKED

THE NORTHCLIFFE PRESS. DISC I'SSION IN COMMONS. SUPPRESSION SUGGESTED BY . MEMBERS. By Telegraph—Press Ansoointion—Copyright CONDON. Dwomber 1. In ill!' House of Commons, Mr Ron,vid M’Xeiil (Unionist.), discussing Sir

John Simon’s statement, said that tha House had heard no allusion to articles in “Tho Nation” saying that it would be better to lose the war than ta lose voluntary service. Mr J. Hodge (Labour) said that while he did not think that Lord Northciifl* wished to belittle the country, it waa an unfortunate fact that “The Times” and tho “Daily Mail” articles had created a very uneaay feeling in Franam Sir A. B. Markham said Sat jooN nalists in the Homo Office had singled out the “Daily Mail” and “Tb* Times ” for unfair treatment, while the “Daily Chronicle” was allowed to g® scot free.

Lord Robert Cecil said that it was a delusion to imagine that this was a case worked up by gentlemen connected with another paper in order to injur# “The Times.” Articles such as those referred to had had a discouraging effeot on our friends in the Balkans, tending to produce the impression that we were done for, and not in earnest, and that our workmen were idlers and drunkards. Sir John Simon added, "We in England know the true value of these jaundiced sheets, but they are a constant disappointment to our Allies and cause distrust among neutrals, while the Germans have found them their principal oonsolation. The Foreign Office has constantly brought these influences under the notice of the Home Offioe.” Several members taunted the Govern* ment with being afraid to suppresa "The Times” and the “Daily Mail” because they were owned by wealthy men. Mr John Dillon (Nationalist) charged the Northcliffe Press with trying to embroil Britain and America at the most critical period of the war. If the “ Daily Mail ” were shut down for a few weeks it would cool Lord Northcliffe considerably. NEWSPAPERS REPLY. LONDON, December 1. “The Times” comments: “Sir John Simon’s effort was merely another attempt to renew last week’s attack, which failed so egregiously. If Ministers were to attack the Germans with half the energy which they devote to ‘ The Times ’ they would be a good deal nearer to winning the war.” The “Daily Mail 7 ’ aaya:—“The Northcliffe Press is attacked because it criticised the Government’s slackness and blunders in order to obtain the more vigorous prosecution of the war.” COMMENT BY "DAILY NEWS.” "GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT TRIFLE.” LONDON, December 1. The "Daily News” says:—“Lord Northcliffe. since the outbreak of war, has held up the country to scorn, causing mischief in Allied and neutral countries and among our own forces. The Government should not trifle further, for the nation’s peril must not longer be the sport of an incendiary journalist.”