PROPAGANDA GEMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 March 1941, Page 6

PROPAGANDA GEMS

SOME ENEMY EFFORTS IDEAS ON NEW ZEALAND POLITICS. MR FRASER AS DICTATOR. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Some of the latest examples of broadcast distortion indulged in by Italian and German radio stations have been received by the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) from the New Zealand High Commissioner in London (Mr W. J. Jordan). One propaganda gem was recorded by the 8.8. C. on March 18. It was broadcast from Rome in Italian for Italy and the Near and Middle East, in the following terms:— “New Zealand Political Crisis: The political situation in New Zealand is becoming critical. Attempts to form a Coaliiton Government have failed. While the Government is trying to keep itself in power by means of specious war propaganda, the Opposition is organising a campaign for next election based on growing discontent throughout the country at the heavy sacrifices which are being demanded for a war being fought so far from New Zealand, and for interests which do not directly concern her.” A later effort was broadcast from Breslau in English for England, on March 22, as follows: —

‘•New Zealand Censorship: Mr Holland, Leader of the Opposition in the New Zealand Parliament, stated on Friday that the Government had introduced a very strict censorship. The censor had been instructed to ban all news concerning strikes in New Zealand armament works, and to prevent newspapers from criticising the Government. Mr Fraser, New Zealand Prime Minister, said that if he had known that Mr Holland had meant to allude to a strike in armament works he would have prevented this debate in Parliament. Britain’s alleged .struggle for liberty and freedom has throughout the Empire become a sepulchre of tradition and the rights and privileges of Britons.” The following was broadcast from the Deutschlandzenger, in German for Germany, also on March 22: —

"New Zealand Member of Parliament Reproved: A New Zealand member of Parliament tried to criticise the British war censorship. He objected to the Press being forbidden to criticise members of the New Zealand Government. This imprudent member was told by Mr Fraser that it was not for Parliament to formulate policy. That was the business of the Government, which was appointecljoy the London Government."