AVERS HIS VIEWS WERE SUPPRESSED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17905, 22 July 1926, Page 14

AVERS HIS VIEWS WERE SUPPRESSED.

MR HOLLAND CONDEMNS ALLEGED PRESS METHODS (Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON. July 21. “ Over and over again I have had my matters suppressed, ” said Mr H. E. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, in complaining of alleged suppression by the Press Association of a statement concerning the Dairy Export Control Board. As a result of an incident in connection with the dairx* export control controversy, Mr Holland, leader of the Opposition. addressed a lengthy question to the Postmaster-General, reproducing an allegation that the Press Association had, by its method of reporting a statement by the chairman of the Dairy Board, suppressed an exposure of an attempt by methods of falsehood to damage the New Zealand dairv industry. Mr Holland asked the Minister whether, since the concessions in the form of reduced charges for Press telegrams to newspapers forming the Press f Association constituted a heavy charge on the public revenues, the Minister would take steps to ensure that the concessions xvill not be used by the Press Association to the advantage of one side in a conflict of public opinion by suppressing the statements on the other side. The rcplx- of the Postmaster-General stated: " The newspapers throughout the Dominion pay the same Press telegram rate irrespective of policy. The views expressed in any editorial or contributed item are of public interest, and entitled to be sent at ordinary Press rates for general publication. If it were attempted to carry out what the leader of the Opposition suggests, a large censorship staff would be required. and a very heavy delay on Press telegraphic traffic xvould occur. In addition, it would be impossible to verify the correctness of every statement contained in Press telegrams presented for transmission. The matter will, however, be further looked into.” During discussion of questions in the House, the leader of the Opposition stated that the statement made by Mr Grounds at Dtinedin xvas suppressed, and the Press Association again evaded its responsibilities by saying that it was the local representative who was responsible. Somebody was responsible. The Postmaster-General said that he would have further inquiries made. Mr Holland said he wanted to stress the point that the Press Association suppressed the message. The Press Association had denied to the speaker personally that it was suppressed, but the association had not sent out his question on the matter. “ They say they will not send it until the answer is given,” said Mr Holland. “They say, why should they send a question that reflects on themselves?, I3ut when statements are made in this House concerning me. they will send them out without waiting for my answer, and send it out in double quick time. The cablegram to the 4 Daily Mail ’ was a deliberate attempt to damage the Dairy Control Board, and was a falsehood sent by a man capable of any falsehood.” The lion W. Nosworthy: I agree with you in that, too. Mr Holland: I think we agree on that. All sides of the House know the man. When Mr Grounds’s statement was made, the only thing the Press Association sent out xvas as follows: “Mr Grounds stated also that he considered the Press criticism of the board was at times bordering on unfair tactics.” There was a loss of £60,000 to the country on the work done for the Press Association. Nobody xvas going to object to that, provided the Press organisation which got the benefit of it gave the same treatment to all sides of a case. The Postmaster-General: I propose to insist on that.