PRESSMEN STOPPED

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 November 1948, Page 5

PRESSMEN STOPPED

INTERVIEWS NOT PERMITTED IN RUAPEHU AREA

OHAKUNE (’’Chronicle” Staff Reporter).—Representatives of the Press engaged in seeking information relative to the finding of the wrecked airliner Kaka, on Mt. Ruapehu, met with frustration at Cowern’s Mill, where a base had been established. First members of the advance search party to reach the mill arrived there at 3.45 p.m. on Saturday. They had reached the scene of the wreck and had assisted in locating the bodies. Any attempts by Pressmen to interview these mefi, however, were frustrated immediately by an Army officer, who tersely told representatives of the Press that though they had police authority to be in the yard at Cowern’s Mill, they were not permitted to interview any of the members of the party there.

The Army officer said that he was acting on instructions received from the Prime Minister’s department by his commanding officer. When Pressmen asked if they might see the commanding officer they were told that he was elsewhere, and in reply to a further question were given the information that he was unlikely to return to Horopito that day. -

When Ihe commanding officer did return about an hour later, however, he received the Press courteously and answered all questions with regard to the part played by the Army Department in assisting with ground operations.

Later in the afternoon a further message was apparently received in Ohakune to the effect that no restrictions were to be placed on the Press.