QUEBEC ELECTIONS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20055, 29 September 1939, Page 7

QUEBEC ELECTIONS

RADIO CENSORSHIP PREMIER’S OBJECTIONS (Reed. Sept. 29, 11.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 28. The Ottawa correspondent of the New York Times, referring to the Quebec provincial electibns, states that they are being subjected to censorship for the first’,tjme in Canada's history.

Under such restrictions the broadcasting of speeches at political meetings is banned. Only studio broadcasts, the texts of which must be ■submitted in advance to the censor, will be permitted.

The censors point out that the rule was promulgated before the announcement that the elections would be held. Therefore the censorship has not any special application to it.

The Premier of Quebec, Mr. M. Duplessis is irked, ■ however, and asserted that the restrictions prevent a free discussion on questions vitally important to the electors.

He added: “I, as Premier, will not submit texts to the Canadian Broad casting Commission. I Contend, I have the right to express my view and the province’s view without the Federal Government passing on it.”

Some newspapers reported that they expected the election censorship will be extended to newspaper reports of meetings, 1 but a member of the censorship board denied this.