Censorship Denied.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1922, Page 1

Censorship Denied.

THE “SAMOA TIMES.” WELLINGTON, April 28 An article printed in the “Fiji Tin\cs” and reprinted by several New Zealand newspapers, alleging that the New Zealand Government exercised control over matter printed in the “Samoa Times,” was commented upon .by the Minister of External Affairs, the I-jon K. P. Lee. “I do not, of course,” said the Minister, “object to fair criticism, hut tho statement published in the “Fiji Times” and by one or two metropolitan papers is quite wrong. That part of the article about which 1 complain says, ‘Nowhere is the irksomeness of New Zealand control felt so severely as in connection with the Press. We do not suppose the editor is to blame. He cannot publish what I he is officially advised not to publish, j lie must abide by official decisions what should not he published.’ “I referred the extract to the editor of the ‘Samoa Times,’ Mr G. P. Brown, a well-known Now Zealand journalist, and this is his reply: ‘ln reply to yours of yesterday’s date there has not been a single article nor news item censored by tho administration dm ing the whole period (eighteen months) in which I have been editor of the ‘Samoa Times.’ Censorship of the ‘Samoa Times” was instituted during the war period and lifted a few weeks after I became editor. The Administrator of Western Samoa does not exercise direction or control over me as editor nor over the conduct of the paper. The statement of the “Fiji Times ’ that 1 must abide by official decisions of what should not he published is pointless, foi 1 have had no official decisions put upon me.” “The statement of the editor of the “Samoa Times,’ ” added Mr Lee, “clearly shows that the paper enjoys the same liberty in the selection of the matter it prints as any other journal. I hope this statement will prevent mis-statements being made in future about the paper.”