NEW ZEALAND’S WAR EFFORT

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23975, 16 June 1943, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND’S WAR EFFORT

ADMIRATION EXPRESSED BY SIR STAFFORD CRIPPS CP.A.) WELLINGTON, June 15. The deepest admiration for New Zealand’s war effort is expressed in a letter to the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) from Sir Stafford Cripps (Minister of Aircraft Production) and conveyed to the Prime Minister by Lord Burghley, who is visiting New Zealand with the Lancaster bomber. Sir Stafford says: “I am sending one'of the members of my council, Lord Burghley, to Australia with the Lancaster bomber, and I hope very much that he will have the opportunity of showing it in New Zealand as well. I wish very much that I could have come myself, but as that was impossible, I have asked Lord Burghley to go for me. We all of us have the deepest admiration for New Zealand’s splendid contribution to the united war effort, not only in materials, but in the courage and spirit of her fighting men. I send you my best wishes and my hearty congratulations upon the magnificent contribution. May victory ever follow the arms of New Zealand until final peace is won.” "(2) I will submit all scripts to the censor for approval prior ’to putting them on the air, and will not make any announcements, either in the newspapers or over the air, without first having obtained the Minister’s consent in writing; “(3) I will diligently carry out all lawful instructions given me by the Minister in charge of Broadcasting. I will give an assurance that I will not take up a hostile attitude towards the Minister, and will not incite or encourage any other person to take up such an attitude. I will at all times work harmoniously with the Minister, and will use all my influence to ensure that the staffs of the Commercial Broadcasting Service individually ■ and collectively give similar loyal service. “(4) I will withdraw the public attack made by me upon the Government and Prime Minister, and will express regret for having made it.” On June 12 Mr Fraser wrote to Mr Scrimgeour as follows: "Dear sir—ln further reply to your letter of May 31, I have to state that I have now received a letter dated June 11 from the Hon. A. McLagan and Messrs M. Moohan, F. P. Walsh, and J. Roberts, commenting on the various statements contained in your communication. I am enclosing a copy herewith. You will gather from a perusal of this letter that it does not corroborate your statements in reference to what transpired at various interviews and discussions which took place between yourself and the gentlemen mentioned. On the contrary, it differs widely from your version. Some of the statements contained in your letter, which allege or infer that certain undertakings were given to you, are of such a nature that even without the refutation of Messrs McLagan, Moohan, Walsh, and Roberts, I would consider them to be most improbable. I cannot believe, nor can I imagine it possible, that men with a sense of responsibility and comprehension of the principles of Government administration could possibly give you the most improper undertakings you mention in regard to your military service, or a renewal of the contract of your ap-pointment-matters which were never mentioned to me, and of which I learned for the first time in your letter of May 31. In any case, if such alleged undertakings, some of them most reprehensible, had been even hinted to me as being involved in any discussions entered on with a view to adjusting in friendly fashion the difficulties then existing, I would instantly have rejected them. I was, of course, made fully aware of the document you signed accepting unreservedly the conditions correctly set forth in the letter from Mr McLagan and his colleagues.” Referring to an allegation by Mr Scrimgeour that his successor was a subordinate "who has been fortunate enough to escape from military service.” the Minister of Broadcasting (the Hon. D. Wilson) stated in a memorandum to Mr Fraser dated June 31 * that on May 10 he discussed with Mr Scrimgeour the possibility of appointing someone inside the Commercial Broadcasting Service to act as controller during his service in the Army, and that Mr Scrimgeour assured him then, and on two later occasions. that the officer referred to was suitable for the position. Mr Wilson added that he had interviewed that officer, who had told him that he, too, was liable for overseas service; but that his going into camp had been adjourned on the recommendation of Mr Scrimgeour. The Minister said that he had advised the officer that he could not be appointed as controller, as he was liable to go into camp any day. On June 3 the Minister wrote to Mr Scrimgeour expressing regret that when the matter was discussed some weeks previously Mr Scrimgeour had failed to mention the military obligations of his recommended successor. CALLING-UP OF MR SCRIMGEOUR PROTEST BY CO3I3IU3VIST PARTY After the publication in yesterday’s issue of "Tne Press” of a statement by the Controller of Commercial Broadcasting (Mr C. G. Scrimgeour) in which he announced that he will enter a military camp on June 22, the following telegram was sent to the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) by the Communist Party of Christchurch: “Regret to learn that Scrimgeour is to enter military forces immediately under conditions whereby the country will lose his special abilities. We consider his exceptional capacity for radio publicity should be utilised still further for stimulation of the war effort. Apparent injustice to Scrimgeour will be detrimental to national unity and morale. Urge you take .steps to reverse this position. ,1