SHADES OF RUSSIA!

Chronicle (Levin), 4 June 1949, Page 5

SHADES OF RUSSIA!

(N.Z.P.A.-

^ReUOfir

Fierce Controversy In Ban On Eiection Comment

Gtitouright)

Reeeived Friday, 8.ou p.m, . .SYDNEY, June 3. Tlie decision &f the New South Wales Labolir caucus - to aftiend the electoral laws to suppress all newspabCf and l-adio electron comment tor two days bfefnfe polling day and On polling day -itself, has had a mixed reception throughout the UonunonWealth. The opposition regards it as an unwarranted intCrfence with the llberty of the suoject and as a posslhie . test for its extension to iederax eiection legislation, The press is splidly against the ban which some newspapers have identified with Government action in Communisfrdofciinated countries. ' ' With its majority in both House: of Parliament the McGirr Governmem can put these outrageous proposals oi, the Btatute Book,"'says the Bydne.) Morning Heral'd. "No doubt it will, tor it is in sueh desperate measure,that politicai fear and poiitical greeu aiike tak'e refuge. The gaggmg oi th, press and radio for three uays is jus as much an invasion of ' fundamentat democratie rights as if the term iu,. oeen lixed for three weens or tiire, years. If the McGirr Governmem were wholly in the poeket of the Com munist Party it could not have devise, an attack on freedom of speech more agreeaule to the enemies oi uemocracc, The Sydney Daily Telegraph suggesi. that the Bill Will not contam any pro uibition against iast-mmute Govemyublicity hhndouts. "The Bill vviil nierely prevent newspaper or radio commentators from tell ing you how fake these nandouts' are, ' adds the Telegraph. "The Governmem nopes you wm go to the polls in tmj, quility, with that peace of mind which vonies of hearmg oiiu oue biuc oi an„. question — -the peace oi mind Hitlei tried to give the Germans and JStaiin uas created uehind the iron Curtaiu where people believe they live in the riehest and llappiest- of all countrieb. For three days Mr, McGirr hopes to bombard the voter with Governmenl handouts and to censor any comment which might reveal the humbug anti fralsity of these." The New Wouth Wales Premier (Mr. McGirr) has answered the critieism ut. a direct attack on the press. In a pre pared statement he eharges that ' ' aU the Sydney daily pape.s are ausoluteiu. controlled by a mere handiui of indi\Lduals — the press proprietors. Tnes^ men use them as instrumeiits of politicai propaganda. Tiiey are as mpci, organs oi propaganda as were the newspapers of Germany under Goebbeis. Uwing to the meptitUde of the Lioera, Party in Parliament tne politicai ligu, to-day is not between tne L,ioerais anu tne Government in ivarlianient. Tin great vested interests na\e turned ti tne press to champion them." Untii now there lias been no sug gestion in Ausiralia of a ban on prc&s or radio comment even o'n the day o, ihe eiection. The ohly legislation governing comment lays down that wncers must publish their names hnd addresse. with afticles or speeches.