NEWS SERVICE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 10 February 1944, Page 2

NEWS SERVICE

SLOW TRANSMISSION CRITICISED (Rec. 10.55 a.m.) London, Feb. 9. Criticism of the slow transmission of press messages from Britain to Australia and New Zealand has stirred English newspapers. The “Daily Sketch” says: “It seems incredible that after the war has lasted well over four years there should be justification for legitimate complaints about the lack of adequate cabling facilities. This is an unforgivable state of affairs and there is no conceivable excuse for its existence or continuance.”

The Yorkshire “Post” says: “This is a matter of serious importance. As its chairman. Lieut.-Col. Astor reminded the Empire Press Union, there is plenty of other news sources besides Britain. Recent speeches of representative Empire statesmen on the possibility of forming a common foreign policy have shown how necessary it is for members of all the British Commonwealth to be able at all times to gain a correct impression of each other’s viewpoints. This essential understanding might easily be hindered if news of British decisions and of the trend of British public opinion reached the Dominions capitals not from London but from New York,”

The Glasgow “Herald” says: “The dominions are clearly entitled, especially in wartime, to the best attainable news service from London. It is only too evident that the existing conditions are deplorable. London is in grave danger of being displaced by New York as the centre upon which the Empire depends for its news. Australia and New Zealand are struggling against insuperable obstacles.”