Mr. Fraser Scorns Clamour About “Scrim” Affair

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 59, 11 March 1943, Page 5

Mr. Fraser Scorns Clamour About “Scrim” Affair

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Mar. 10. In an interview published in the official organ of the Labour Party, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, speaking in reference to resolutions passed by some trade unions and organisations in regard to the Government’s recent action concerning the suspension of Mr. C. G. Scriingeour and the administration of the Commercial Broadcasting {Service, a number of which included an attack on the Minister in charge of Broadcasting, the Hon. D. Wilson, said; “If anyone thinks that resolutions, whether spontaneous or specially organised, containing unthinking, absurd and clamorous demands for abdicating Government authority over any department and embodying an unfair, unjust and totally unwarranted attack on Ministers, can possibly carry any weight with the Government, they are grossly mistaken. ‘‘The attacks recently made upon Mr Wilson, the Minister in charge of Broadcasting, under the guise of resolutions, were particularly unjust, unfair and altogether regrettable. In some instances they were contemptible. 1 wish to make it plain that in the recent

incident, now satisfactorily adjusted by all concerned, Mr Wilson had the foil support of myself and Cabinet throughout. I and my Cabinet colleagues have always found Mr. Wilson to be a thoroughly reliable, trustworthy and efficient Minister. He carries our complete confidence. “The position of any Minister will not be prejudiced by unthinking attacks on him because of any administrative actions which iuay not be popular with some sections of the people. It is the clear duty of a Government to listen courteously, and weigh carefully, all reasonable representations made to it. and the present Government invariably does that, but it will not be influenced in the slightest degree spmelessly to yield to uninformed and prejudiced clamour. ”