“INDONESIA CALLING”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26641, 11 December 1947, Page 8

“INDONESIA CALLING”

PRIME MINISTER’S BAN REASONS CONSIDERED UNSATISFACTORY Special Correspondent > WELLINGTON, Dec ; 10. The reasons stated by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, for his decision to ban public screening of the film “ Indonesia Calling ” have been received by the Auckland Trades Council and declared to be unsatisfactory. The council has referred the matter to the National Council of the New Zealand Federation of Labour. “ Indonesia Calling ” was made for the Australian Waterside Workers Federation and has been shown commercially in theatres. throughout Australia and overseas. It was at first banned in Australia, but subsequently released after the Federal Cabinet had attended a screening. When the film arrived in New Zealand many months ago the Prime Minister prohibited its public screening. Tne Leaner of the Opposition, Mr Holland, subsequently viewed the film ana reported unfavourably upon it. Danger of Creating 111-feeling The Auckland branch of the Carpenlers’ Union protested to the Prime Minister at the ban and has received a reply from Mr Fraser stating. The release of ‘lndonesia Calling, which presents a very tendentious viewpoint on a complex and delicate question, is considered unjustifiable on th e ground that it is likely to cause ill-feeling between this country and a friendly nafilm constitutes an advocacy of the undemocratic principle that minority groups may arrogate to themselves the right to conduct the foreign relations of a nation, whereas these can only be the resppnsibility of the Government comprising the elected representatives of the people. “Publicity encouraging support ot this' anarchic principle. cannot be acquiesced in, for to do so would be to permit a gross abuse of the freedom of expression which is vital to oui system of democracy. For these reasons it is not intended to permit the release of the film for public exhibition.” Union Dissatisfied The union declared this reply from Mr Fraser to be unsatisfactory, and sent forward its protest through the Auckland Trades Council Meanwhile, the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union has secured a copy of the film from the Australian Waterside Workers’ Federation. It is now in firm demand from trade union and other organisations for private screening. _______