TENSE ATMOSPHERE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26623, 20 November 1947, Page 7

TENSE ATMOSPHERE

FEELING TOWARD PRESS GOVERNMENT POLITICAL CIRCLES MR DALTON'S RESIGNATION From E. G. Webber, N.Z.P.A. Specie! Correspondent J LONDON, Nov. 18. With the exception of the papers and periodicals which customarily support the Government, the circumstances of Mr Dalton’s resignation have brought to a head the growing feeling of hostility in Government political circles towards the British press. It would not be true to say that the atmosphere between the press and Parliament has seldom been worse, but it is true to say that relations between the press and the Government political organisation have seldom been more frigid. This does not apply to the Opposition, which naturally Is strongly on the side of the press* in the present situation. Behind the scenes there is strong Labour resentment at the part played by the particular newspaper involved in Mr Dalton’s resignation, and fears have already been expressed that this resentment may lead to a general witch hunt being directed against the press as a whole. It is certain that, in addition to a debate upon the Dalton case if and when the inquiry is completed, Labour members will demand a fullscale debate upon the press at an early date. A second opportunity for this will occur when the postponed motion moved after the expulsion of Mr Garry Allighan is raised in the House. This motion, standing in the name of Mr Herbert Morrison, would give Parliament power to exclude from its precincts any newspaperman found guilty of offering payment for the disclosure of parliamentary information. When the motion was first put by Mr Morrison it was criticised from both sides of the House, but there are indications that the volume of Labour opposition at least has been considerably diminished by recent events. A number of causes have contributed to the tense atmosphere now prevailing. Chief of them undoubtedly is the fact that the editorial policy of a considerable proportion of British newspapers • and periodicals has been persistently critical of the Government.

But on the side of that considerable section of the press which has maintained an objective policy there is also resentment created by the manner in which the Government pressed home the decision to set up a Royal Commission of inquiry on thd newspapers and periodicals of the country. The feeling was expressed by several of these newspapers that certain elements in the Labour Party regard the commission as a threat with which to hold press criticism in check. The great majority of the newspapers, however, accepted the Royal Commission with reasonable equanimity and have done what has been possible to meet its requirements. There followed, however, charges of breach of privilege against the two Labour members, Mr Evelyn Walkden and Mr Allighan, as the result of which the former has been expelled from the Labour Party and the* latter from the House. Many Labour members consider, as the debate in the House revealed, that the two newspapers whiph paid these members for information should not escape with just a reprimand. This feeling is accentuated by the belief that the whole Labour movement has to some extent been brought into disrepute by these two cases, and resentment at the fact that the party, in addition, has had an extremely unwelcome byelection forced upon it. The resignation of Mr Dalton, coming hard on the heels of the Allighan case, has consolidated and intensified ' this feeling. Suggestions have even • been made that the long-stand-ing .and almost traditional privileges of parliamentary lobby correspondents at Westminster should be withdrawn and • • that • various other measures should taken to restrict the newsgathering facilities of newspapers in the political field. It is improbable that these suggestions will lead to anything, but there is, nevertheless, no doubt that the confidence ■ which previously, existed between parliamentary lobbyists and the Government side in Parliament has been badly shaken and that tact and- restraint will be necessary on both sides if it is to be restored. One unreported incident has also done a great deal to increase the bad feeling. This is the manner in which one Sunday newspaper, noted for its critical attitude to the Government, reported the wedding last Saturday of the Prime Minister’s daughter, Miss Janet Attlee. There is a strong feeling in Labour circles that this article, which referred to Mr Attlee “ patiently holding a bunch of pmk carnations.” and which was at pains to emphasise the security precautions taken for the wedding, ventured rather too freely into the domestic sphere and put the Prime Minister and his family in an unfavourable and slightly ridiculous light.