TO BE SIGNED IN FUTURE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20891, 22 November 1937, Page 8

TO BE SIGNED IN FUTURE

POLITICAL ARTICLES

MR SAVAGE DETERMINED ON LEGISLATION

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, November 21.

There is a genera! feeling in Parliamentary circles that the Anonymous Publications Bill, providing for the signing by journalists, contributors and correspondents of all political items appearing in newspapers, will be introduced in the House of Representatives in the coming week. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, still refuses to discuss his plans in the matter, but the impression is that he is determined to proceed with the Bill. Proposals for destroying newspaper anonymity on political subjects were discussed on at least two occasions at a caucus meeting of the Government Party last week, and it is gathered that the counsels of a group of members who saw danger in the methods outlined were over-ruled.

These members state quite definitely in private conversation that the Government has received reasonably fair treatment from a majority of the newspapers, and they also point out that the Labour Party was able to win the last election in spite of the overwhelming weight of editorial opinion against it. However, they must be prepared to accept the majority decisions of the caucus, and as far as voting is concerned the Government members are certain to present a united front when the Bill appears in the House.

Objection to the proposals understood to be involved in the Bill were placed before the Prime Minister during the week by a deputation from the New Zealand Journalists’ Association, who sought to acquaint him with the attitude of working journalists. At the same time it is openly stated that the Industrial Labour Movement is extremely apprehensive regarding the Bill, and is also likely to make representations to the Government.