NEWSPAPER APPEAL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 30, 18 March 1942, Page 5

NEWSPAPER APPEAL

EDITOR IN BALLOT

An appeal by the Gisborne Herald Company, Limited, on behalf of the editor, H. H. Barker, who was called in the recent married men's ballot for Territorial service, was heard by the Gisborne Manpower Committee last week. Mr H. R. Crisp appeared in support of the appeal. Stanley Muir, managing director of the Gisborne Herald, Limited, said that as editor of the paper the reservist was essential to its publication, which was done under exceptional conditions and with problems peculiar to the office. The reservist had an intimate knowledge of all the difficulties. In view of the defections in the staff for military duties he was -required to take on the bulk of the additional work. He Avas also responsible for Ihc' administration of the censorship regulations, and lie could not be replaced. The reservist, in evidence, said lie was not appealing e.n his own behalf. He had served for two years during the last Avar. Mr Crisp said that the morale of the people was dependent on a high standard of news, and for that reason alone it was- necessary that the reservist should be retained. Tho presentation of news in such a form as to preserve a high morale was essential to. the district. The' chairman said the committee had received a brief statement of policy to be adopted regarding newspapers and the commitee would give the appeal due consideration. He said that the committee would direct that the press should not publish anything in the proceedings that might be regarded as confidential in regard to the conduct of the war. The decision was reserved for review in three months.