CUMAX: Threat of Arrest From Constable

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26917, 1 November 1948, Page 4

CUMAX: Threat of Arrest From Constable

p.A. OHAKUNE, Oct. 30. The climax to extraordinary efforts by all services, which are claimed to have been made on instructions from the Prime Minister’s Department, to prevent representatives of the press receiving first-hand, prompt information at the scene of the air disaster was reached this morning. The Horopito area surrounding Cowern’s mill was cordoned off by military from Waiouru under the direction of Colonel Pleasants. While the need for preventing sightseers from hampering the work is quite apparent, the inclusion of the press in the ban was unexpected. • Towards mid-day, under instructions from Wellington, the ban was relaxed to permit press representatives to enter the mill grounds, to which they had the invitation of the owner: They were stopped first by the military, and then by a man believed to be a constable out of uniform. The constable then shepherded the journalists through the mill grounds, where they remained for half an hour, but with the constable always within a few feet, particularly when any approach was made to military personnel and the military wireless van. which is the main radio link between the party on the mountain and Wellington, and from which all the information being given over the broadcasting services is being obtained. When a message began to come over the mountain, there was a shout from the wireless van. “ Kick those Chaps out of this.” A man dressed in civilian clothes and believed to be Constable D. Ruscoe, of Wanganui, then approached a reporter who was lying in the sun on a heap of wood and said, “ You’ll have to buzz out of this.” The reporter replied: “ Is this a secret session? ” The constable: Yes, very secret. The Press Association representative then said: “ What is the position? ” .... The constable: The position is you get out of this. Press Association representative: This is private property. Constable: The property has been taken over by the military and the police, and you’ll do as you are told. Press Association representative: What authority have you? Constable: This authority. I’ll throw you off or put you under arrest. P.A. representative; 1 just wanted to have the position quite clear.