ATTACK Of THE PRESS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20504, 21 May 1938, Page 6

ATTACK Of THE PRESS

The attack made by the Hon. W. Nash on the Press of the Dominion, when he spoke at Lower Hutt during the week, was frontal. Everything came in for condemnation, the editorial views, the Press Association news, the correspondence columns and the way journalists who favoured Labour were treated by their employers. The Hon. P. C. Webb brought up the reinforcements, but already the leader of the first wave in the attack had retreated. Mr Xash accepted the assurance of the staff of a paper he had plainly indicated, that they had never been instructed, by either the editor or the management, to write letters “on any subject whatsoever, much less on politics.” What happened on a paper for which the Minister of Industries and Commerce once worked is immaterial, for as far as can be ascertained Mr Sullivan was a reporter on only one paper, and it ceased publication some years ago. The Press Association management has explained the negotiations with regard to some statement the Minister of Labour wanted telegraphed, but apparently Mr Armstrong was not satisfied, despite the offer to despatch the message, for shortly afterwards inquiries were made in newspaper offices, including the Times, as to whether the message had been received. There is, of course, a purpose behind this attack. Mr Nash does not make moves of this character on the political chessboard for nothing. He may have forgotten that, during the first session of Parliament after Labour assumed office, the Prime Minister said that he wanted to do justice to the Press in New Zealand “and to say that since the election it lias been very fair towards us and I have no complaint to make about its attitude.” The intention of this renewed attack probably is not to influence the newspapers but to create an impression that Labour cannot get just treatment from that quarter, and must, perforce, turn to the radio service. That in all probability is the real purpose. There are on record views with regard to the use of this service by all parties in such a way that all would have equal facilities. And it must be admitted that the Prime Minister has shown his readiness to adhere to that position, for he is willing that some Opposition speaker should now have an opportunity to reply to statements made by Mr Nash. The attitude of the Prime Minister will be appreciated; and if he intends to have that system maintained throughout then nobody will have any real cause for plaint.But would it not be advisable, before the stress and strain of the election campaign makes nerves a little taut and tempers short, to have the whole matter thoroughly discussed and a plan, mutually acceptable, devised? It could be done without much trouble now, but it will become increasingly difficult as the date of the election approaches. Any attempt on the part of the Government to monopolise the service would cause widespread resentment, and the way to avoid all trouble will be to have a detailed arrangement, applicable to the organised parties and the independent members. It should be completed before the final session commences and the director of the radio service should be made responsible for its operation. And those engaged in polities should not approach the negotiation of a plan for broadcasting speeches with the idea that such items alone are what the public wants. What might be termed a reasonable service would be sufficient, for no one in New Zealand wants anything along the Nazi lines, and radio stations used for the constant repetition of propaganda, and the drumming into the public mind of the contention that one partj-, and only one, can he entrusted with the control of national affairs. Let there be reason in all things, and to that end a satisfactory arrangement with respect to radio services during the election would be of distinct value.