"GERMAN PROPAGANDA."

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 57, 12 June 1916, Page 2

"GERMAN PROPAGANDA."

"THAMES STAR" ARTICLE CONDEMNED. In tho House on Friday afternoon, Mr T. W. Rhodes (Thames) called the attention of the Prime Minister to the.following "pro-German article" in the "Thames Evening Star" of Monday last. June 16tll: "The Naval Defeat." "From the conflicting reports to hand of the naval encounter, one fact clearly emerges—the British Fleet were severely defeated. From the High Commissioner's report it would appear that the deadly gunfire was the Germans' chief instrument. There i s also evidence to show that the British woro lured to destruction—that once again German strategy and German efficiency completely prevailed. Though the Germans, as the President of the Reichstag announced, lost several ships, and 'many brave sailors,' the loss of the Queen Mary, with practically all officers, the Indefatigable, the Invincible, the Defence, and Flack Prince, five destroyers and other vessels, makes it perfectly plain that, taken ship for ship and man for man, the German Xavy is as efficient as the British. The moral effect of this defeat upon neutral countries will he difficult to overestimate. Admiral Jellicoe's report is vague, undefined, and unsatisfactory; there is nothing in it of a reassuring nature. The general outlook is far from satisfactory. Germany still retains the victorious hand on land ; she is giving a good account of herself on the sea."

Mr Rhodes asked whether the Prime Minister would '.ibmit the article in question to the Attorney-General, am! see what steps could be taken to put a stop to the production of such proGerman articles.

The Prime Minister said that he had seen the article. As a matter of fact, a number of copies had been forwarded to him by apparently indignant residents of the Thames district. Ho had read the article with great regret; 'and he might say that the hon. member's question had been anticipated, and the article had been referred to the Attorney-General's office. He had not had an official report yet, but hemight say that steps would be taken to make such editors or proprietorshe was not sure who was responsible —but to make editors and proprietors who were responsible understand ..that pro-German articles would not be permitted in this country. hear.)

.Mi' Poole; "This is German propaganda.'-' (Hear, hear.) Mr Massey: "It is the worst that r have seen printed since the war started." (Hear, hear.) GERMAN "NEWS." MR PAYNE SUCCESTS SUPPRESSION, Ml- Payne asked the Prime Minister if lie woidd make it impossible for information from an enemy country to lie published in New Zealand. The 'recent naval battle was only one instance of the effect of the publication of such news ; and he thought that it the Prime Minister would consider the matter he would see the necessity of preventing the publication of such matter. I

The Prime Minister said that he would see to the point raised by the 1 hon. member.