WAR NEWS SERVICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 October 1939, Page 8

WAR NEWS SERVICE

FAIR REPL&CTION OF EVENTS. AUSTRALIAN MINISTRY’S PLANS. An assurance that the war news published in Australia was a fair reflection of events thM had taken place was given to the Melbourne “Argus” by the Minister.for Information (Sir Henry Gullett). It was true that at times the news had been scanty and confusing, but that was unavoidable, and did not reflect upon the news services distributed in Australia. “Take, for example, the indescribably brutal and unjustifiable Smashing of Poland by the Germans,” he said. “It is clem- that war correspondents of any nationality were not permitted to proceed with the German armies. “This was doubtless due to the ffict that even Hitler and his ghastly tools shrank from giving the world a day-by-day story of the unspeakable atrocities which were wrought without any cause, except a passionate lust for r. harmless people’s territory upon unhappy Poland.” Sir Henry Gullett said that the news from the western front, mainly told by the French Armiy Headquarters in brief communications, had been a completely honest picture. It was significant that French claims of their heroic progress had not been denied by Germany. People who were nervous about the news released should realise that it would be wrong for France or Britain at this or any other stage of the war to disclose information which would be of advantage to the enemy. That factor explained why at times close secrecy was observed about air force, submarine, or other naval encounters. The policy was to keep the enemy guessing as long as possible. Criticism of the new Commonwealth Ministry of Information by the leader of the Federal Opposition (Mr Curtin) is regarded as unfair by Sir Henry Gullett. “Mr Curtin has overlooked the fact that before any such services can be begun they must be organised,” said Sir Henry Gullett. "In these grim days Mr Curtin is in the happy position of being a non-co-opcrative leader of the Opposition. If he really wished to help Australia he would curb his criticism and link up with the Government in a real attempt to do something for Australia and civilisation in face of the most serious challenge to freedom in world history.” Within about a month a new daily short wave broadcasting service will be inaugurated in Australia to counter i German propaganda broadcasts, said Sir Henry Gullett. In the beginning the service would be in English, and would provide a comprehensive commentary on Australia's defence activity and special news to counter German propaganda. Broadcasts probably would be made later in foreign languages. It was likely that important British news would be*repeated for the benefit of countries which would receive Australian broadcasts more clearly than British broadcasts. Existing transmitting equipment would be sufficient for the new service.