SINKING OF LINER

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21178, 30 July 1940, Page 5

SINKING OF LINER

DELAY IN PUBLISHING NEWS ENGLISH PRESS CRITICISM “SOME OFFICIAL STUPIDITY” (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, July 29 “ The official delay m releasing the news of the loss of the Lancastria (the 16,000-ton liner which was sunk by German air attacks at St. Nazaire, France) has very badly affected public opinion,” says the Daily Mail in a leading article. “It seems an outstanding example of the stupidity of some official mind. “ The Lancastria was sunk on June- 17 while evacuating 5000 troops and a number of civilian refugees. Within a few days of the disaster, hundreds of thousands of British people knew it was true because they heard stories from survivors. The losses were exaggerated at the tale spread, but it was not until July 24 that the news was first published in New York, after which the Ministry of Information permitted the British newspapers to circulate news they had known for five weeks. “ The service departments were no doubt primarily responsible for the delay, but it is the business of the Ministry of Information to urge, in the national interests, the earliest release of good or bad news. “ The Ministry essays many roles —sometimes it is a * Nosey Parker,’ sometimes a benevolent uncle, sometimes a schoolmaster, but rarely is it a source of worthwhile information.”