-
by the Department of Broadcasting of their transcription appears
to have been confined to music. Their films are now taken
out by their film units which are newer and better equipped
than those belonging to P.R.S. But they have not yet enough
vernacular films, nor have they organised commentary, for them
to have any great impact yet.
4.
There can be no criticism of their activities in spreading
a picture of their democratic way of life, except in a lack of
balance on information through the deficiencies of the British
services. The effect on British prestige is harmful:
(a) If the American style of service is so much better
than the British that comment is raised:
(b) If the volume of U.S. material compared with the
British is so great that Britain appears as a camp-
follower of the U.S.A.
(c) If the British ideas and institutions are taken
too much for granted as publicity inhibitions, surround them
which arround - no other matters, the people of
Malaya are entitled to assume that the british have
lost confidence in, or are ignorant of, their institutions
- and will take the appropriate one.
If harm comes from this, the blame will be on our own side.
Neither in policy nor in practice do the U.S.I.S. seek to shroud
British publicity: in fact they are perennially co-operative.
The answer is to accept the policy that the corollary of our
promise of self-government within the British Commonwealth is
to persuade the people of Malaya that the British political
orbit is congenial and her way of life a vital example, so that
her accession to self-government is a coming of age within the
family and not the breaking of bonds from a political prison.
More can be done, particularly by radio, to build for Malaya's
future within the Commonwealth.
GGT/JW
Public Relations Secretary,
Singapore.