CENSOR'S WORK

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2345, 30 December 1914, Page 5

CENSOR'S WORK

CAUSE FOR COMPLAINT

Melbourne, December 29. A statement showing the principle of the military censor's conduct of his work 5n S i to Sena.tor Pearce (l'ederal Defenco Minister). It points out that the object is not to withhold information fro.'n the public, but to prevent it reaching die enemy I'ho "Daily Telegraph," criticising the statement, says there is great causa for legitimate complaint. "News is kept in order not to excite alarm in tho public, which is sheer folly, and the sooner stopped tho better." SCATHINC CRITICISM. BY A' NEWSPAPER. (Reo. December 29, 10.20 p.m.) -Melbourne, December 29. Argus," in a leader commenting on the statement issued by Colonel Legge regarding the censorship, says: or Senator Pearce (Defence Minister) has fault to find with any newspaper he should have the pluck to give names." . Referring ,to the. Navy' Office, "The Argus" declares "it has shown a capacity for blundering and obstructiveness Which only tho knowledge of facts could make credible. The gentlemen in authority there ■ seemed afraid to own their shadows, and gave a most timid' and childish interpretation' to the regulations and instructions. Events which are freely discussed in Australia are not allowed to be published. Mercantile clerks and others of similar occupations are called upon to deal with newspaper work which they did not in the least ' understand. - Could it be believed that it was actually orderedl not to publish the news of the bombardment or Scarborough, notwithstanding that it was authorised by the Official Press Bureau and passed by tho British censors? "What right had Senator Pcarce to set'up a moral censorship? Neither Senator Pearce nor Colonel Legge could pretend to know when news was incorrect. And neither could know how to •conduct a. newspaper."