FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 53, 15 May 1942, Page 4

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Sir,—Are we in every sense of the word a free country? When the present Government went to the polls they told us that Liberty of speech, Press and Radio was to bei their platform. What have Ave to-day? I have been informed that the Social Credit newspaper "Democracy" has been informed by the Director of licity Prime Minister's that it shall not publish in cracy" or in any other paper, without permission "Any information relating to the method, or methods? employed by the Government of NewZealand for the purpose of raising for, or otherAvise financing, implementing, or carrying out the. Avar efforts of New Zealand." This paper "Democracy" is also prohibited from publishing the fact that it has been prohibited. This is dictatorship based on fear of the truth. To quote General Mac Arthur, Sydney, March 24, 1942, "One canr not Avage Avar under present conditions without the support of the press and other forces of propaganda" when addressing the Australian, American and foreign press re- . "Men Avill not fight and Avill not die unless they know what they are fighting or dicing for. It is essential for the public to know* the truth. Silence Avill begin to react against you. Therefore it is most important for the public to be instructed so that it can. summon alii its confidence and determination and alls' its purpose in support of Avar effort. That is where, you are one of the most valuable components I have. Without your' help, Ave cannot get th.ti maximum cut of the

situation." There is apparently no chance of a National Government so the ballot box is the only way to relieve the minds of the people and put things on a sound footing for a war fc effort. It is not money we want it is men and materials, and we can get them by a sane fiscal! policy that will give the people confidence to win the war and an assurance of freedom afterwards. Yours etc., W. BRADSHAW. i