SIGNED ARTICLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22896, 26 November 1937, Page 14

SIGNED ARTICLES

LIBERTY OF THE PRESS

GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS PROTEST BY BUSINESS MEN Grave concern at the implications contained in the proposed Anonymous Publications Bill, providing for .the signature by journalists, contributors and correspondents ol all political items apjjearing in tins newspapers, was expressed by members of the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce at its meeting yesterday, when a resolution of protest was carried unanimously. Tlio resolution was as follows: "That this courieil views with concern the suggestion that there may be interference with the traditional freedom of the press, which is one of the most cherished possessions of the English speaking race; sfnd expresses the hope that no legislation which would in any way curb the present liberty of expression • will be introduced in New Zealand."

"The Prime Minister does not commit himself in any way," said the chairman, Mr. A. E. Ely, who moved the motion. The information seemed to have been a leakage from a party caucus, and if it was any indication of what the bill purported to be, a vigorous protest should bo made. "It would be derogatorv and a step backward to interfere with the actions of the press." said Mr. Ely. Its freedom was a heritage which had been handed down for some hundreds of years, and in view of the standard maintained in England and also in New Zealand, there should be every confidence in it. Government Well Treated There was reason to believe that the Government was introducing the legislation because it considered it had not obtained sufficient publicity from the newspapers of the Dominion, said Mr-. Ely. He failed to understand this point of view, because in his opinion the Government had been extremely well treated by the newspapers. In addition, the Government had entire control of the new channel of publicity which it hail opened up, the radio, he added. Mr. A. G. Lunn, who .seconded the motion, said the Government had been getting wonderful reports from the newspapers, which had been perfectly fair and reasonable. "I think the bill has been brought about from actual fear of the considered opinion on the various proposals being placed on the Statute Book," he said. Challenge to Democracy

Referring to the privileged position enjoyed by the press in British parliaments for well over 200 years, Mr. Gainor Jackson said the freedom of the press also had been embodied in the American Constitution. Anything that was going to undermine that freedom was a challenge to democracy. Legislation had been introduced in Australia providing for the signature of political articles during the electioneering campaigns, and the result was that only meetings of the party leaders were fully reported. From time immemorial it had been the custom of the less important candidates to send in reports of their own meetings to the newspapers. They would look rather foolish if they were forced to sign them, said Mr. Jackson. The speaker mentioned that it was often the case for relays of reporters to be engaged in writing up one debate in Parliament. Who would be responsible for the finished article? he asked. The chairman: I am not. Solomon. Mr. G. J. Browne said the protest should be emphasised by communicating direct with the Government and also with the Associated Chambers of Commerce. Mr. Lunn said the resolution should be forwarded to the Associated Chambers of Commerco with a view to raising a protest from each chamber. The motion was carried without dissent.