NO SUPPRESSION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18545, 3 November 1934, Page 6

NO SUPPRESSION

COMMISSION’S REPORTS •'FAIR AND IMPARTIAL” IN VKSTM ENT COM PAN lES INQUIRY (Pei' Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this' day. Referring to statements made in the House of Representatives yesterday regarding the cabled reports of the Sydney Royal Commission on Investment Companies, the malinger of the United Press Association, .Mr. Lane, states that no suppression occurred. 'The reports, which were distributed to Dominion newspapers exactly as they were received from Sydney, were fair and impartial. The proceedings were given unusually extended notice on account of the public interest in the inquiry and the reports were necessarily confined to essentials. NO INFLUENCE USED AUUKLANI) EXPLA NAT lON POWERS OF DIRECTORS (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. In explanation of the statements made in the House of Representatives, the Auckland Star says: — "Tite facts of the matter referred to by Messrs. M. J. Savage and J. A. Lee are simple and they stiould have been aware that there was no suppression, deliberate or otherwise, on the part'd the papers in the Dominion. The fact was never cabled to New Zealand.

“During McArthur's examination in Sydney counsel cross-examined McArthur at length on the subject of a letter from New Zealand signed “Guidance.” In this letter, in tite extraordinarily devious way that marks the proceedings of the McArthur companies, individuals were not referred to hv name, A Statement was made that the writer had done what was possible to stop the commission’s report coming before Parliament —obvious nonsense—and if it did come, to have a ‘barrage’ of opposition raised to it—an equally ridiculous statement. ‘Polab’ was the word used for a combined party, 'Ancor' was referred to as behind a new party, and ‘Polecat’ was the name applied to'tho. organiser. McArthur was cross-questioned at length on the letter and steadily claimed ignorance of the matter, beyoticl' stating that as far as lie knew ‘Guidance’ was arranging for the electors to bring pressure on their members to lighten the blow- when the commission's report was .under . discussion. ,

“Some weeks later it eafne to the knowledge of the management of New Zealand Newspapers, limited,'that, their journals were mentioned ■ in* the letter as subject to the influence of “Ancor.” It was with considerable difficulty that a copy of the letter was procured a fortnight- ago from the commission, on the ground that as the company's papers were mentioned they had the right to full information. iu- Ac. r.: ,d

“That disposes of the statement of Messrs. Savage and Lee that there was what might be termed ‘a conspiracy of silence’ on the part of the whole of the press of the Dominion. An examination of the letter showed that a statement was definitely made that ‘AncorV could influence half a dozen papers, including those erf New Zealand Newspapers. It was obvious that ‘Ancor’ was Mr. William Goodfellow, who joined the directorate within the past year. Neither Mr. Goodfellow nor any other director has at, any time influenced or attempted to influence the policy of any of the papers of New Zealand Newspapers, Limited. The suggestion is ridiculous. It has been made perfectly clear .to each one before lie joined tile hoard that the policy was entirely a matter for the editor. Mr. Goodfellow was fully aware of this, and his power to influence the newspapers for ot‘ against any political parly was evolved entirely out, of the imagination of the writer*of the letter signed ‘Guidance,’ “When interviewed regarding the above matter Mr. Goodfellow stated that ho desired to confirm the statement to the effect that the directors were definitely concerned only with the commercial end of the business, and could not interfere with the policy of tho papers. Any statement to the. contrary was untrue.

“Continuing, Air. Goodfellow said that ‘Ancor’ apparently referred to himself, and some explanation was advisable. He had had a call from one Glover Clark, who had suggested financial support tor a new party. However, after several discussions of a very indefinite nature, his proposition was turned down,”