AIR CRASH PRESS BAN

Chronicle (Levin), 18 January 1949, Page 5

AIR CRASH PRESS BAN

Press Associattini ■

Minister 's Denial Discussed Before Commission \ .

tPer

WELLINGTON, Jan. 18. Editoi'ial comment on the denial by Mr. Nash that the Press had bben subjected to a eensorship in connection with the search for the missing airliner Kaka, which crashed on Mount Ruapehu on October 23, was discussed today when the Comnhssion of Inquiry into the alleged obstruction of the Press was resumed. Shortly after David William Hetherington, chief reporter on the Taranaki Daily News, resumed his' evidence, Mr. T. P. Cleary, for the Crown, quoted editorial comment of newspapefs in the province concerning Mr. Nash's denial. ''When I read Mr. Nash's* statement my reaction* was that he was either endeavouring to pull the wool over the eyes of the public or his officers had given him very poor advice of the true situation at Ohakune, Horopito and on the search generally," said witness. Mr. Cleary: Can you tell us of any facts justifying the statement that the - Minister 's statement was "a tissue of half truths," and that he is "a master of prevarication and deserves a ha.rsher word?'' Witness: I am not prepared to go any further than I have. Mr. Cleary: Then Ttake it that you are not aware of any facts? Witness said that if Mr. Nash were in possession of the facts which were being placed before the commission by the Journalists' Association, and had then made the statement which he did, he would say there was some justification. Whether or not Mr. Nash was aware of those facts he did not know. Witness agreed that in such circumstances a responsible newspaper should refrain from an accusation of untruthfulness • until it had verified whether it was well grnunded or n»t. Herbert Douglas ' Sandford, a woodwork instructor at the Ohakune district High School, said that he arrived at the Plateau with the main party on Friday afternoon and acted as radio transmitter to the radio van at Horopito, working in association with the Army. It , was necessary for him to work in the open air .and .Wing Comman1 der Keane, . whom he met on. the Saturday, told him that he was not tj give any message over while pressmen were about. In fact presssmeq,fdid' not go near hirri. He received '-ho, ifistructions . from the pblice' regarding the Press. 'To Mr. "Cleary, witness said that the message giving the times at which the watches had stopped ' was sent by Serrior Sergeant Taylor himself; rie'itiier did he (witness) send any message regarding the , number of bodies, for those \vere sent from the piane. "The hearing; $^s;; proceetfing. Evi1 dence heard fafe' yestefday afternoon appears dh page 6.