“COOPER’S SNOOPERS”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 180, 2 August 1940, Page 5

“COOPER’S SNOOPERS”

ASCERTAINING PUBLIC OPINION IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN WARTIME

(By Telw.ph—Press Association—Copyright) Received Aug. 1, 5.45 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 1. Canvassers of public in wartime, who have been nicknamed "Cooper’s Snoopers,” were defended in the House of Commons by the Minister of Information, Mr. Duff Cooper, who declared that the difficulty of ascertaining public opinion was greater in wartime than peacetime. Scientific methods had been used by newspapers and commercial firms. The Minister of Information had decided months ago to utilise the method under the auspices of the National Institute of Economic and Scientific Research. About 60 persons were now employed at salaries commensurate with the importance of the task. Information was circulated to the departments to which it was likely to be useful. The system had started before his arrival at the Ministry. "Cooper's Snoopers” call on an average of eight houses daily. It is revealed that only two per cent, of householders have objected. Recent questions related to the effects of air raids and rationing. Answers are confidential. The Ministry established the organisation after the success of similar surveys in recent years, particularly in America. Some members of the Commons described the scheme, as wanton spying and a waste of public money. A chief constable in Derby warned the public not to answer the Ministry’s questioners. "It is a lot of damned silly nonsense. I am not going to have people in this town worried by officials knocking on their doors asking what they think of the war and other absurd questions. We have all got enough to do without this.”