BRITAIN'S PART.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16159, 13 March 1918, Page 7

BRITAIN'S PART.

THE PRESS AND POLITICS. LLOYD GEORGE REPLIES TO CRITICISMS. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Renter's Telegrams.) (Received March 12th, 8 p.m.) LONDON, March 11. In the House of Commons, replying to Mr Austen Chamberlain, tho Primo Minister said that he disagreed with tho contention that owners and directors of newspapers should not hold Ministerial offices. Lord Northcliffe held no Ministerial office, whilo Lord Eothcrmere and Lord Beaverbrook gave up all direction of their papers as soon as they woro appointed Ministers. Lord Rothermere had already reorganised an important department of tho War Office, and his administration thereof was an unqualified success. Lord Beaverbrook had organised Canadian propaganda which had proved most successful.

The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of propaganda, which the eneuiy Lad used with deadly effect iu Russia and Italy. Lord Northcliffe had made a spccial study of conditions in onemy countries, and no man better qualified to direct propaganda in enemy countries could bo found in tho British Empire. Government propaganda in all other Allied countries and in Germany was conducted almost exclusively by experienced newspaper men, and, despite tho inevitable prejudices which tho Government apprehended might bo excited they had concluded that they must follow that example as tho only'means of securing an effectivo presentation of tho Allied cause. His one object in this, as in all other Government appointments, was, he said, to securo the men best qualified to do the work efficiently. Mr Lloyd George reiterated that he was in nowise responsible for tho attacks which had been made on admirals and generals. It had been suggested: that d member of his staff had inspired such attacks, but he had thoroughly investigated tho matter, and unhesitatingly declared that tho imputation was utterly unfounded and unjust. iMr Chamberlain said that the principles laid down by Mr Lloyd George wero satisfactory, but there had been too much coincidence between nows- | paper attacks on Government servants and their removal from office. He regretted that tho Prime Minister had not made a clean cut and swept away for ever the atmosphere of suspicion and intrigue.

Mr Asquith deplored organised Press campaigns m war time against soldiers and sailors. The first of these, he said, was against Earl Kitchener, which ho (Mr Asquith) felt most keenly. Consequently, ho had advised the Iving to bestow the Order of the Garter on Earl Kitchener at the earliest opportunity, which his Majesty did. It was of the utmost importance that the Government should be free from suspicion of direct association with the operations of the Press, therefore ho advocated thai the Propaganda Department should be absolutely watertight, without any influence on the policy of the Government.

Mr Lloyd George, winding up +be debate, said that he accepted the fundamental principles laid down by Mr Asquith. He said that after.'his explanation there had been no real challenge as to the action of the Government. He concluded with a tribute to Lord Norbhcliife, who was, he said, from the standpoint of news organisation, a man of genius, and one of the greatest | news organisers of the world. NEW ZEALANDER HONOURED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Router's Telegrams.) LONDON, March 11. The Belgian Croix-de-Guerre ha* been conferred on Colonel C. W. Melville, of -jjjo New Zealand Rifles.