CENSORSHIP CASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24875, 22 April 1944, Page 7

CENSORSHIP CASE

SYDNEY NEWSPAPERS NO FURTHER DECISION LEGALITY ACTION LATER (Reed. 11.80 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 21 When motions by four Sydney newspapers for injunctions against the Commonwealth and its censors were called in the High Court today, the Bench held unanimously that these matters had been disposed of last Monday and there was nothing before the Court with which it could deal. Last Monday, Sydney newspapers were granted an interim injunction restraining the censors from prohibiting the publication of certain articles dealing with censorship. That day all four Sydney dailies had been suppressed for failure to comply with censorship instructions. Objects Fully Achieved To-day Mr. C. Weston, K.C., for the applicant newspapers, said that the articles named in the injunction applications had since been published, and, as the objects of the proprietors of the newspapers had been achieved fully, the question of costs was all that remained. He said the principle for which the newspapers had contended had been established. After considerable legal argument, the Court finally told Mr. Barwick, K.C., for the respondents, that if he was anxious to expedite trial of the issues involved—as distinct from the injunction—he could make a later application to the Court to have a bearing date fixed. Probably the greatest array of senior counsel ever associated with the conduct of any one case or consolidated suit in Australia assembled in the High Court. Eleven King's Counsel were at the bar table, together with their juniors. Interest In Argument The Court was packed to overflowing. A number of barristers and solicitors not actually participating in the case attended to hear the argument. To-day's proceedings mean that, as the interim injunction against the Commonwealth and its censors expires to-day, and as the plaintiff newspapers have achieved their object in publishing the articles and editorials suppressed earlier in the week, the newspapers did not ask for an additional injunction. An action to test the legality of the censorship regulations by the newspapers and an action for damages are still pending. Costs in the injunction were reserved for the hearing of the actions, which will probably take place early in May. MINISTER'S REPLY REVELATIONS PROMISED ADELAIDE, April 21 Revelations that would place the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. R. G. Menzies, and the Country Party leader, Mr. A. W. Fadden,'on trial would be made to a startled public when the Censorship Committee returned its findings, said the Minister of Information, Mr. A. A. Calwell, today. Assailing his critics, Mr. Calwell said: "Mr. Menzies and Mr. Fadden have other reasons than the one stated by them in their insolent suggestion that I should be removed from the Censorship Committee. The committee was established to inquire primarily into the work of communications censorship, the guiding principles of which were laid down by their Administration. "They know what the files contain and thev also know that the public reaction to the revelations when made will place them hopelessly on the defensive. Their attempt to indict me a-s the chief defendant in the question of administration of publicity censorship is too stupid for words. What happened in the censorship dispute has nothing to do with the work of the committee and does not warrant the committee's reconstitution." 1.L.0. CONFERENCE MR. NASH PRESIDENT PHILADELPHIA, April 20 The New Zealand Minister to Wash- . ington, the Hon. W. Nash, was elected president of the 26th conference of the International Labour Office at the open- ! ing session attended by representatives of 41 nations. Russia was not present. Mr. Nash, in his speech, issued a :■ warning against the "illusion of impotence, the belief that difficulties were so insuperable that it is futile to seek any boldly constructive solution of the problems you are about to consider." r President Roosevelt, in a letter to the . conference, welcomed the delegates and ; said the 1.L.0. would be an official - organisation for the formulation of , international matters of policy directly affecting the welfare of Labour throughi out the world. He urged 1.L.0. to take decisive action on "those economic and [ social matters related to the welfare of working people which are practical for t industry and designated to enhance the opportunities for a good life the world over." He paid a tribute to the 1.L.0. as evidence of "the indestrucible tenacity ■ of a democratic way of life." 1 Among the first speakers was Sir I William a British delegate, ; who said that Britain wholeheartedly ' favoured a scrutiny of policies ' : in con- ; nection with the 1.L.0.'s proposal to scrutinise financial and economic policies of member Governments. He added, however, that Britain made a distinction between that and active participation in the formulation of such policies bv 1.L.0. Governments " j Mr. George Tomlinson, another , British delegate, when asked whether , the absence of Russia would hamper j the conference, said: "If Soviet Repre- | sentatives had been here it would have contributed to the success of the_ con- [ i ference and made it more embracing."

PRICES FOR WOOL BRITISH PURCHASE SCHEME (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) CAPETOWN, April 20 The British Wool Commission has bought 2.800,000 bales of South African wool, valued at more than £48.000,000 since the start of the wool purchase scheme in 1940, said Mr. 8,. Guiness, director of the commission. In South Africa, the average prices for clips in the 1942-1943 season were 13.8 d per lb., compared with 10.51 d in the 1941-1942 season. Had South African producers been placed on the same basis as Australian farmers, they would have got only an average of 12.36 d for the 1942-1943-1944 seasons. Mr. C. S. Orpen, opening the annual congress of the Cape Province branch of the National Woolgrowers' Association, said woolgrowers throughout the world must co-operate for the safeguarding and advancement of wool production. It was necessary to evolve plans now for the international sale and distribution of wool in the post-war period. "In co-operation with Australia and New Zealand," he said, "we are endeavouring to make such plans." Emphasising; the from the competition of synthetic fibres. Mr. Orpen said that natural wool prices must be related to those of synthetic wool, otherwise natural wool would be ousted from -the market. FIGHTING IN CHINA C 9C d. 5.35 p m.) CHUNGKING. April 20 Chinese troops counter-attacked and inflicted heavy casualties in a battle which is still continuing south-east of Chungmow, Northern Hon an. Japanese who are advancing further south are being engaged by the Qhine#® north of Kwisagmm.