VALUE OF FREE PRESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26771, 14 May 1948, Page 5

VALUE OF FREE PRESS

SPEECH BY ENGLISH JUDGE

«GREAT SERVICE TO STATE ” N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent. . * ' LONDON, May 12. U I am quite satisfied that in any State professing to be free and democratic, the value of a free and fearless newspaper press cannot be overestimated,’' said Mr Justice Birkett, in proposing the toast of the press a, the Newspaper Press Funds festival dl Mr Justice Birkett said his great regret was that British newspapers to day were so hampered by the shortage of newsprint that, a “ great instrument like the press—of such immense value in national as well as international affairs—should be hampered by lack of space to report matters it is ir i;P o^‘ tan j i should be heard." He said: 1 hope those in responsible positions will see that the press is given every opportunity to perform the great service to the State that lies in its power. Mr Justice Birkett added that his experiences at the Nuremberg trials convinced him that one of the greatest threats implied in the totalitarianist was the disappearance of a fret ** Mr Laurence Cadbury, chairman of the Daily News. Ltd., replying to the toast said the British press welcomed the Royal Commission of Inquiry because it felt it had nothing to rude ••and that the inquiry would clear up many misapprehensions in the minds of the public.