CONTROL OF THE PRESS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20892, 23 November 1937, Page 4

CONTROL OF THE PRESS

To the Editor or ' The Tlmnru Herald Sir, —It has been declared not once, but many times, that the promises of the present Government are of the piecrust variety. Several examples of this could be given, but the one compelling most attention at the moment is the promise made by the Hon. P. Fraser some months ago to the effect that the Government would never even contemplate interference with the freedom of the press. When Mr Fraser gave that promise, I believe he meant and expected that it would be kept. He is a fair-minded man with both feet on the ground, but the other elements in his party over-rule him. That there would be some interference with free speech was Indicated by the Prime Minister before he went to England, and there can be no doubt that in its policy of "office at any price and by any means" the Government will stop at nothing to stifle criticism of its action. We know what has been done with the radio, how misleading Government propaganda is put over the air under guise of bulletins from the Prime Minister’s Department and no opportunity is given to refute it. May I quote an example. A few nights ago we were told that the cost of living to-day was less than in 1929. The Government no doubt contend that the retail prices of all groups averaged out will show a reduction when compared with 1929. That is true, but that reduction is brought about by reason of the fact that several luxury lines such as wireless sets, cigarettes, liquor and so on have dropped in price. But the goods in every day use have soared, any housewife knows that, and goods manufactured in New Zealand have shown alarming increases, due entirely to the Government’s legislation. Yet the story is told over the radio, and there is no chance of reply except through the Press. As a result the Press is a menace to the Govern- ! ment—it enables the people to be told the truth —and so the Press must be dealt with. People who write to the newspapers expressing their views and drawing attention to their burdens are to be compelled to sign their names, so that they may be disciplined by the Labour Union bosses merely for exercising the right which the Labour Party professed to champion—the right of freedom of expression. Happily, however, the Government is not the final court. The people will have the final say and their verdict next year will not be any more favourable to the Government because of its dpearture from the rules of fair play and the trampling underfoot of democratic principles.—l am, etc.,