Nash Says No, Reporter, Yes

Northern Advocate, 30 October 1948, Page 5

Nash Says No, Reporter, Yes

Control Of News ? .

WELLINGTON, Sat. (P.A.).—“Tliere has been no secrecy concerning reports from the scene of the air disaster as is alleged in a Press Association message from Ohakune published this morning,” said the acting Prime Minister (Mr Nash) today. “No instruction that there should be any suppression was issued by me, by any officer of the Prime Minister’s Department or by senior officers of the Police and Air Departments.

“In particular, I wish to point out that the publicity section of the Prime Minister’s Department was not involved in any way, and reference to it has just been a figment of imagination. “The report is one which was published unchecked and deserves the fullest inquiry.” The Press Association’s Ohakune correspondent said today that his report last. night of his experiences at Karioi landing ground was correct. It was not a figment of his imagination that no information would be issued except through the Prime Minister’s Department. He was told that by an Air Force officer. REVERSE THE CASE Mr Nash, in his statement, said: “Far from there being any secrecy, the reverse was the case.“The Air Department because of inquiries from both Press and public, established a small information section of its own at control centre and it worked effectively. “It was created, of course, to take the task of handling that traffic off those directly concerned with the organisation and conduct of the search.

“On the spot at Karioi, the forward, base, the Air Department’s facilities for sending and receiving reports were provided under difficulty. “Until the later provision of wireless equipment in a small van, there was one 12-party telephone line only. “At no time was any action taken to prevent the proper release of information.

“Any reasonable person would understand that two particular points required care: First, there was the report of the sighting of the aircraft wreckage and there was necessary delay while the smaller aircraft was given a chance to confirm that report from a closer range. GOOD REASONS “Second, information concerning those on board the missing aircraft was, of course, urgently despatched to the next-of-kin.

“Everyone will understand the good reasons for that.

“I deeply regret publication of this story' without the alleged facts having been referred to the officials concerned.

“It is an unfortunate example of the harm that can be done by unchecked general statements, and it is a pity no explanation at this, stage can completely remove that. “There will be no delay in the release of information concerning the work ef reaching wreckage of the aircraft.

“The air control plane in the air over the wreckage has reported that the first stretcher parties have left the aircraft and are on the way down the mountain.

“A radio link on the ground, has not been established yet, but as soon as it is, the police and air departments will release information to the Press as it comes to hand.”