CABINET AND PRESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19500, 8 June 1925, Page 2

CABINET AND PRESS

- -OJOURNALISTIC MINISTERS. LONDON, May 22. Regarding the controversy which has arisen about members of the Cabinet contributing to newspapers, The limes, in an editorial, says that, although the Government unquestionably is committed to the principle that Ministers arc debarred from indiscriminate writing on public affairs, it would clearly be absurd to lay down a bard and fast rule that Ministers should, under no circumstances, express their views in the newspapers, “In the public interest.’’ says the article, “it may certainly be desirable that some statement of policy should be made uuihontatively when there is not an occasion for making a public speech. That, how ever, is entirely different from the publication of articles by Ministers as a regulai ly-paiei business. There arc obvious objections to this practice, for once the principle of Ministerial journalism is admitted there would bo no limb to its extension to the rmil detriment of public service.’’ Ihe Times adds that an order debarring editorial payments being made for such work while a Minister was ir. office would soon put an end to a dangerous practice. Mr Baldwin is studying parliamentary precedents on Ibe subject.