1939-09-15 — Page 7

THE CHINA MAIL, SEPTEMBER 15, 1939

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION “MUDDLE"

THE

TRUTH

AT

LAST

LORD MACMILLAN ADMITS FAULTS BUT PLACES THE BLAME WHERE IT BELONGS

LONDON, TO-DAY. THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION, LORD MACMILLAN, ANSWER- ING CRITICISMS IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS ON THE INITIAL WORK IN HIS DEPARTMENT, SAID THAT HE AGREED WITH WHAT HAD BEEN SAID ON ALL SIDES IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AS TO THE DEPARTMENT'S TRUE FUNCTION.

"It is a ministry of expression, not a ministry of repression, least of all a

ministry of depression."

It would be his task to place before the peoples of Britain-before the peo- ples of other countries-the truth about what they were doing, thinking and hoping.

One could understand that those engaged in the actual work of the war were reluctant to talk about it or waste their time as they might say in providing mere news about it.

"But I think in a democracy like ours, even the fight- ing services have to become publicity- minded

"

"Therefore they must not be reluctant to help me in my task of giving the public as much information as can be consistent with the exigencies of the military situation.”

First contacts have been made with the fighting ministries and they have assured me that they will help as far as they possibly can in the provision of news."

The Ministry of Information ‘la- boured under a grave handicap compared with the Ministry of Information In Berlin, most of whose propaganda information is "lies."

He thought that in the long run the foreign press would appreciate that the news they received from Britain

was authentic news and statement:

only.

ISSUE AT ONCE

Lord MacMillan referred to several unprecedented features of the war from a publicity viewpoint; the first

of which was speed with which de-

velopments took place in the air.

He thought that the issue at once of information to assuage public anxiety should be done.

Another problem was seeing that the B.B.C. should not be allowed to prejudice in any way the reasonable rights of the press, whose services were

more valu. able than over.

Lord MacMillan referred to the mechanical Impediments and the crowded state of the ether and cables and, on the latter matter, declared that Government publicity should not always have priority when it was not urgent.

WAR OFFICE PLAN

BRITAIN'S

TREATMENT OF ALIENS

London, To-day.

The attitude at present be- ing adopted by the British Government towards enemy aliens is in marked contrast with that taken in 1914 when the policy was one of general internment.

Before the outbreak of the Great War, no organisation for the control of allens existed, whereas now, for some years past, the entry of aliens, and their activities, have been under close control.

Another new factor is the admis- sion, during the past three years, of many thousands of refugees driven by persecution from what are now enemy countries.

been

These considerations have taken into full account in the present policy and, apart from known agents and sympathisers with the Nazi re- Arrangements have been made for gime who were immediately segregat- the War Office to send a general staffed, restricting their movements to an officer of high rank who would give a confidential talk to accredited presstered address.

area within five miles of their regis- representatives weekly..

Officers from the Admiralty and Air Ministry would also talk to the press confidentially on special occasions.

It had also been arranged that cach service department should nominate

The enemy aliens number about 50,000,

of whom 'some 35,000 are refugees.

Local tribunals are, however, to be set up forthwith to examine each case individually and, to report on the an officer of high rank to act as ad-appropriate action-British Wireless. viser and the supplier of confidential information on military matters. Reuter.

MONEY MISSED

in

Mrs. E. Osborne, of No. 13, Stafford Road, Kowloon Tong, lost $320 money and jewellery from her re- sidence between 8.30 am. on Monday and yesterday, according to a report made to the. Police this morning.

NATIONAL REGISTER

London, To-day. The Government has decided to compile a tuniversal National Regis- ter.

The returns will be used as the basis for food rationing. Reuter.

NAZIS COMPLAIN OF SLOVAK SABOTAGE

London, To-day. Wreckers have been active in Slovakla, says a Nazt official news agency report.

"Stern action," says the agency, has been taken, and in addition many Jews in Slovakia have been arrested and thrown into con. centration camps-Reuter.

OUTSTANDING !

Dr. Schuschnigg, the former Chancellor of Austria, who is re- ported to have been shot by the Nazia for refusing to appeal to Austrians to support the Reich. The picture was taken with Big- nor Mussolini when times wore happler.

INDIAN SOLDIER DROWNED

A

on the

tragedy occurred Kowloon-Canton border yester- day morning near the Lowu Mili- tary outpost.

Rifleman Jai Singh Ran, of the Rajputana Rifles, stationed at the Lowu Blockhouse, went to bathe in the Shumchun River at about

11 a.m. and was drowned.

His body has not yet been re- covered.

DIFFERENT !

CAMERA BAG

The meat outstanding hit of the

season. Its looke, slzo, shape, all

give the illusion of a camera. It

even opens a olmilar way, and still

is spacious enough to hold the

usual contents of the average bag.

Can be worn from the shoulder

or tle the handle and awing from the hand.

Materialo-Calf, Alligator,

Toyo straw.

Colours Black, White,

Fuchala, Dusty Pink, Light Blue, Navy or

Japonica combinations..

THE WING ON CO., LTD.

GROUND FLOOR.

?