EXAMPLE OF FORTITUDE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20906, 11 September 1939, Page 6

EXAMPLE OF FORTITUDE

“There is activity on both sides.” In those obviously futile words a British official communique described the events of worldwide importance that occurred in the war zones on Thursday. While the need of close censorship and for the greatest care in the dissemination of information is freely recognised by the public, the demand for more news in Britain is understandable. The Government has recognised the need and has promised a better service. A great deal of news that could be of no possible use to the enemy, since it is already an open book to him, is being suppressed. If the censorship is carried too far it will defeat its own purpose. The public scarcely needs to be told that there was activity on both sides. It is necessary for those in charge of the censorship to realise that while they are permitting no detail to escape the net the German radio stations are emitting a constant stream of news and propaganda, in what proportions it is impossible to say, and the whole world may listen. That “service” must be counteracted by the release of news which gives the public a reasonably accurate picture of the position—news that can be trusted and will keep public opinion abreast of developments. Of course some phases of the campaign must be kept secret in the interests of Britain and her allies, but the extent to which secrecy is applied should be conditioned by the extent to which the enemy uses his propaganda service. It is true that the vast majority of Britons refuse to give credence to enemy propaganda, but at the same time there is urgent need for the publication of the truth as far as is possible in the national interest. Happily the British public is less easily stampeded than the people of many other countries. Indeed it is a matter for pride that they have accepted the onset of the war with such remarkable courage and fortitude. Even the lack of news of how Britain and her allies are faring has been met with the general comment, “Well, it is probably all for the best.” Britain has been exceedingly modest in her claims to successes, and everywhere there is evident a calm determination not to minimise the magnitude of the task ahead but to press on unflinchingly with a grim business that was not of Britain’s seeking. The day when the whole story may be told without any fear of the consequences will bring a happy relief to the British people.