UNDUE PUBLICITY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1358, 20 June 1918, Page 8

UNDUE PUBLICITY.

TO SOLDIERS' OFFENCES. PROTEST BY PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES. A protest, from the Bulls, Sanson, Carnarvon, Ohakea, and Lower Rangitikei War Relief Association, against the undue prominence given in the Press to suicides of soldiers and returned soldiers, came before the Dominion Advisory Board of Patriotic Societies this morning. The association asked the board to take action so that the newspapers would suppress the words "soldier" or "returned soldier" in future.

Mr N. B. McGallum, who was present represergyng the Returned Soldiers' Association7\'xplained the position. The starring in headlines of returned soldier suicides was most offensive. It reflected on the deceased's relatives ami on the soldiers generally.

Mr J. J. Dougall, in supporting, said that the request should not stop there. It should bo extended to cover soldiers charged in court. The Hon. J. T. Paul remarked that he had heard very strong comment on the lack of publicity that was given to suicides in the camps, for instance. In that matter, he did not think that there should be anything in the nature of suppression. He belieyed in publicity in most things. The public, was the great jury. Bui he appreciated Mr McCallum's point of view, and concurred. .Present publicity in these matters was sometimes scandalous, but they must not stifle reasonable publicity. So far as the appeal was for the elimination of tho "Americanisms," he was with it. Mr Larner observed that the Government might not bo blameless in those suicides. He believed many of the men to be victims of neurasthenia, who had been discharged before they were fit. Publicity would be a good thing if it brought the Government to a sense of its responsibilities" in regard to those men.

Mr McCallum, replying, saitl that camp suicides were on a different plane to those of returned men. The former might pe from, fear. As to the latter, it was impossible to say what a man might have been through, or how his mind might, as a result, be affected.

It was remarked that the board could not rule the newspapers, but a resolution was passed deprecating undue publicity to soldier suicides or offences.

assistant manager, Mr A. W. Jamieson, expressed himself satisfied w r ith the system which was the best he knew of. The temperature of the large general office bore out this view. .^