B.B.C. BROADCASTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 68, 21 March 1942, Page 5

B.B.C. BROADCASTS

RESENTED IN AUSTRALIA WANTS “CORNER” IN NEWS (Recd. 11.15) Canberra, March 20. Feeling against the British Broadcasting Corporation is running high in Canberra because of recent statements. A 8.8. C. broadcast yesterday stated that Mr. Curtin had declared a state of emergency in Australia, had banned horse racing and theatres, and was considering a ban on church services. This report is untrue. Mr. Curtin did announce that because of a state of war there would be no organised sport or marches of returned soldiers on Anzac Day. The 8.8. C. report of the loss of 23 Japanese ships as a result of the attack of Allied aircraft created th. impression that all the ships were knocked out in one action, whereas the total was the aggregate of many actions over the last ten days. As well as making inaccurate reports of Australian events and Federal Government decisions the 8.8. C. has persistently refused to cooperate with the Australian Government on news releases.

The general opinion at Canberra, says the Sydney Sun’s correspondent, is "that the 8.8. C. is regarding th, war as a means to secure a ''corner'' on news through its official contacts in London. The Sun quotes several instances where the 8.8. C. has made announcements before the prearranged time. The final straw for the Australian Government was the information given to the world by the 8.8. C. last night of the movements of General Blarney, which was considered by the Australian Government to be a military secret.