STATE CONTROL OF PRESS

Southland Times, Issue 23320, 2 October 1937, Page 6

STATE CONTROL OF PRESS

Suggestion Advanced By Dr McMillan NEWSPAPERS ACCUSED OF DISTORTION ’ (From Our Parlaimentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, October 1. Full State control of the Press of the Dominion was advocated by Dr D. G. McMillan (Lab., Dunedin West) during the Budget debate in the House of Representatives today. Dr McMillan claimed that a State-controlled Press, free from party politics, was necessary for salvation and democracy in the Dominion.

“In my private opinion I feel that if we are going to save democracy the Press has to be removed from the hands of political partisans,” said Dr McMillan.

An Opposition member: Say that again.

Dr McMillan: If we are going to save democracy we have to take control of the Press of the Dominion and take it out of the hands of private, political partisans. I believe the Press should be State owned.

“The newspapers have been misleading the public,” Dr McMillan continued. “They have been misleading the public, not by their editorials, but by what amounts to distortion of facts. The Press is the greatest medium for education in the world and I believe it should be State owned. I know that owing to the actions of past governments there is a suspicion among the people against State control. However, in years to come people will believe in State control and will realize that it is good. I would like to see State control of the Press, with the newspapers made free from party politics and as independent as our judiciary.” An Opposition member: Would it be as State-controlled as Mr Scrimgeour? “I know Mr Scrimgeour gets under the skin of our political opponents,” said Dr McMillan. “I know that when we cast our minds back two years ago and remember the actions employed by those who tried to get rid of him they must feel so.”