1918-10-12 — Page 7

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION. In the House of Commons on August bib on the order for the second reading of the Consolidated Fund (No. 3) BHL

THE HONGKONG HAILT, PRESE, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17TH.

ADMIRALTY OLERE'S GOSSIP.

Mr. L Jones said the Government had : Did be desire to have in his the front1 the Ministry of Information, which exme Walthamstow, a clerk in the Admiralty, I

tion.

PRÒPAGANDA EXPENDITURE pictures and photographs require the had a discussion on the Ministry of Im- #pproval of Lord Beaverbrook I Was he formation, but that hon. members had

THE DESIRE TO POSE going to aanation what the illustrated some information about the Ministry papers were to publish? Was it "erus (Hear, hear.) In discussing this question

At Bow Stresi Police Court recintig that Lord Beaverbrook wished to take over hon. members ought to bear clearly in the of all the correspondents at the Committee the report on the penditure before - Sir John Dickinson, Willi front! Did he insis

on being the shep Committee had hardly anything to do with Marsden Maitland, of Greenleaf Road, berd-in-chief of-all-visitors-to-

department into existence on March 4th of this year a peared to a summons charging him the political intelligence department at He hoped the Ministry out that on June 25ss, 1918, be "did, without the Foreign Office 6 War Office, and to day was not going to be held the Admiralty He had control of the for the laches of twelve months ago Thalaiful authority, publish and communi and he wished to unfortunate visit to Dublin what was it cute information as to the movements of wireless of the ed all over this world. It was the entertainment of a 'party of ships of his Majesty's Allies and sup control the newi The news was to be collected in London journalists from overseas who were exposed plans of naval operations, and and redistributed, and he was not uroceedingly anxious to get Arst-hand in- also information as to the passage of that it was to stop with the war. Buch formation about conditions in Ireland. hips along a part of the coast of the power, along with the censorship, was It was not being run in the interests of United States most dangerous to the freedom of the any party in this country. The party people of the country. There was talk of went to Ireland, and they saw well known acrily newspaper being provided for the members of every party in that country. soldiers at the front by the Government. The gentleman who was in charge of the to contain Government information party, though a man efficient at the work it were fike the Alms that were being shown he had been doing, had never before saren s party or tried to look after it would be used not in the interests of charge. the country, but for purposes of pro-any expenditure of this kind. (Laughter with a special constable, who was ob pagande A General Election was coming The moment he came back he was taken this Dewspaper to to task, was removed from that kind of contain electioneering propagands for the work, and was no longer at the Ministry voters at the front! We entered the war With regard to the dinner party that had a free nation with free institutions, but been referred to in the report, he had had we were ur danger of ending it with sur all the circumstances befors him, and he render, not to the Germans whom we found that it was purely an error of judg. should conquer, but to Germany ideas.ment; and he might say that the gentle (Cers.) The labour unrest in the cousman who was responsible was no longer try was not due to uncertainty about the in the Ministry."(Laughter.) war or the issues of the war, but to pto found distrust of the Government and all their ways.

at last provided the House with a long- desired opportunity of putting certain questions about the Ministry of Informa- Before the war there was in this country a Press absolutely free from Government interference. Our pewn was the fullest and our newspapers were the most informing and influential in the whole world. (Hear, hear.) When the war broke out the Government felt it desirable that some explanation should be offered to the world, in view of enemy misstatements, of the aims this country had in entering the war, and the great principles for which we were fighting With this purpose in view a small partment was set up under Mr. Master- man, which did exceedingly good work by bringing out pamphlets, and leaflets.

Soon afterwards another Com mittee was appointed under Mr. Main to attend to films and wireless newa. Toch work was carried on with increasing Vigour and a comparative recklessness with regard to expenditure. When the present Government came into office at the end of December, 1918, ade of the

first

On (Cheers,).

Was

EN-BRITISH METHODE "

W35

Mr. Cecil Whiteley, conducting the case on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions, said that the defendant on June 31st was travelling by the 11.50 p.m. train from Liverpool Street to Ching ford, when he engaged in conversation viously a friend of his. The only other person in the compartment happened to be Mr Cecil Wones, a clerk in the Secretary's Department of the Admiralty. The defendant spoke to his friend in a loud voice on several subjects relating to ships and other affairs of the Admiralty. Mr. Cecil Jones, residing at Ching- ford, said that on the night in question he was travelling in the same railway Mr. J. MacVeagh: What Government compartment as the defendant and an Department is he in now (Laughter.) other person. The witness had never

Mr. Baldwin, proceeding, said there was the case of a member of the House who had on the defendant before, and was at- tracted to his conversation in the first received subsistence allowance. He

ཐོ Mr. Prince said large part of the sorry that the fect was not brought out in place by bearing him state that he was an first measures they took in hand was the work of the Ministry of Information in the report that. Tressary sanction had been Admiralty official. In very audible tenet reorganisation of the Department of neutral countries was done by advertising refused to this item. The hon. member in he was telling his friend, the specist Information. Colonel Buchan Wa It was not proper that advertising for the question had offered to refund the amount, constable, about various matters con- placed at the head of the department, and purposes of the British Government and had assured him personally that he nected with shipping, particularly about, be had working under him four different should be in the hands of people with did not know there was anything irregular the regular voyages of certain vessels to bodies in four different parts of London. business interests in those countries. He in it. There was some misapprehension as this country with American troops, and The first was Mr. Masterman's depart was informed that one of the departments to the position of Sir Roderick Jones, who the long journeys they had to make round ment, which issued books and The second was Mr. Mair's department,f this Ministry was known as the Home was in charge of cables and wireless when the coast. The Cofendant told his friend laformation Department, and that in that the present Minister took up his office of a scheme which he said would be which continued the work connected with department there was a special secret ser- As soon as the present. Mi

Minister took office carried out within a fortnight or three cinemas and wireless. He believed Mrvion. Men were employed to spy on their he sppointed Sir R. Jones as chief of his weeks, and advised him to watch the Mair's department was also in charge fellows in the labour world and trade executive staff and his connection with newspapers for the results. Next day the the entertainment of our foreign visitors, anions, and to make secret reports to the Beuter's Agency was severed. The Mini- witness made a report to his superiors It was Mr. Mair, be understood, who was department. It was no wonder that there ster had told him that Sir R. Jonce sers to what he had heard. Swim responsible for the entertainment refer was mistrust and unrest in the labourrices where he was were simply invaluable. red to in the report of the Select Cons world when such methods were employed He had nothing to do with pality of mittes on National Expenditure, which by a Government department. The House finance. Where matters of policy wore had just been issued. In that report an should insist upon a searching investige concerned they were controlled by Colonel instance was recorded of a visit of twelve tion, and should leave no stone unturned Buchan, the member for Accrington (Mr. gentlemen to Dublin when £31 of public in order to prevent such un-British Harold Baker), and Mr. McMillan, a well money was spent in two days in drink methods finding a permanent place in the known Scottish accountant and 2 in cigars. The House would public life of this country. recognise that he (Mr. Jones) was not a

Bir F. Banbury, speaking as chairman good aathority on how much should be of the Sub-Committee which conducted in spent in entertaining twelve gentlemen to investigation into the affairs of the Minis- wine and cigars in two days (Laughter.) try of Information, said nothing of the The third, and most important, depart kind just outlined by Mr. Pringle had so ment was the Political Intelligence Defar come before that Committee

They partment, which gathered cattemporary found that the system of sending out large evidence from newspaper in foreign coun- masses of circulars was not efficacious, and tries, and collated it, for peruan by the that the best judgment was not always Government departments and the press used in the distribution of books, The That work was very well done, and question of fannce was a serious one was glad to know it was no longer under Whilst the expenditure for the year ended the Ministry of Information, but had March 31st, 1917, was returned at three been transferred to the Foreign Office: quarters of a million, and the methods of He hoped it would remain there. (Hear, that expenditure were severely critised, it bear.

sppeared that when they came to the cur four departments of the Ministry rent year ending March 31st, 1918, they were presided over by / Colonel Buchan, or by two ico la Genea who he understood, had direct access to that the estimate was £1,800,000 or the Treasury appeared to have no cogni the War Cabinet Bat the War, Cabinet $1,900,000. Towards the end of June, Lord sance of the expenditure of this depart bad many things to do, with the result that they had not much time to devote to

were

of

and his estimate of.. expenditure

Asked if he had any witnesses to call, the defendant said that he had anked his friend with whom he had the conver tion to attend the Court, but he was too busy to do so. The defendant, on oath, denied having made the statement attri- buted to him.

Sir F. Banbury: Do I understand that the connection of Sir B. Jones with

Sir John Dickinson said that be Router Baldwin. For the time being, cer in its entirety. The canse of the offence

is severed

accepted the evidence of Mr. Cecil Jones Mr.. tainly. He was not, Mr. Baldwin cappeared to him to be the all too com- tinued, in a position to influence business for Reuter's, and he was not paid a salary on one of vanity-the desire of men to Mr. Baldwin went on to explain that the pose before their fellows as being in the controllers had nothing to do with the vulgar phrase in the know." Even se policy of propaganda in various countries. it stood, however, it was a grave offence to be committed by a person employed They were appointed to control the ex- penditure as regarded the country that by the Admiralty. It was necessary to was being dealt with, and as to which they prevent the mischievous sort of thing of had expert knowledge He thought it persons talking for talking's sake, and would be unreasonable to expect these advertising their own small information. gentlemen to give up their own business He must impose a penalty of 250, and posts so that they would be cut off entirely the defendant would also have a-pay-10 from what had been their own work. Heghiness. costs.

work esses Sir John Dickinson recall- ed the defendant, and said that since passing sentence he had been told that the conviction might involve him in very serious consequences as affecting bis career. For that reason he would re duce the fine from £50 to £20, and allow two months for payment.

Colonel Buchan Then, for a short time.rbrook gave evidence before the Comment.

OBJECTION TO METHODS.

www.

CLOSE TREASE BY CONTROL

neutral countries a rumour that Great

efficient.

to

sbow

than

the current financial year was The Treasury had complete knowledge the Department was under the control

£1,200,000 That, he thought, was avi- of Sir E. Carson, whose career there was, dence that Lord Beaverbrook desired to of the expenditare for propaganda work. if he might say so, brief and inglorious effect economy, but he also thought the But it was not possible for the Treasury (Laughter.) All this time, whilst ex- Committee should again visit the Depart to go round to each department and look penditure was going on, there seemed to ment in three or four months with the for faults. Notice of those things had to have been little or no financial control, object of seeing whether the reduction was be brought to them. Sometimes, especi and he thought they had reason to com- really being carried out. As to the pay ally in the case of new Ministers, depart of enemy propagands was to spread in plain of the slackness of control

exercised ment made to a member of the House, hements were apt to go too for, and it might stain was being starved, and therefore

be some time afterwards, and too late, by the Treasury. The Department, also die quarrel was with the Government forditure which they had no means of that the work of the Ministry was well I not impute any blame to that member before their attention was drawn to ex- able to continue the fight.. As a proot had reason to complain that the Treasury had not given a helping hand in the man having made such a proposal. If the

done and was appreciated, it was only agement of its finance. Judged by resulta purity of the House wra to be maintained stopping. There was no truth in the re necessary to refer to German newspapers, the propaganda in foreign countries had nothing of the sort should occur again port that the Ministry of Information which counselled that the organisation in not been of great value he thought he (Hear, bear.)

going to run a newspaper for the might say it was a dead failure in Russia

Sir M. Barlow said hon. members had soldiers, and it was not true that they germany ought to be equally Tarre, amount of money to recognise that we were very backward | Were going to control war correspondent/He was without exact Then again, a had been spent

in Italy, and not very

There was not a syllable of truth in what Germany's expenditure on propaganda in the watter of publicity and in making Mr. Pringle said about the Ministry of work, but be believed that be was well wisely Money was also spent in South our good, deeds knows. (Laughter.)

Information employing spies or

doing The America with very little result.

prebeat expenditure was not more work of that kind to foment disord any within the mark when "he said that our

and money spent in America itself had been

distrust amongst the working classes of one seventh or one eighth of that of Ger- the best spent of all The Department

Mr. J. M. Robertson agreed that they this country Nothing of the kind had many in any one year since the beginning started modestly, and, for a long time, it had no hotel (laughter) but now it had should not inquire too closely into the been care, or would be done, and he could of the war. This propaganda work was secured an hotel and the status of a Minis expenditure if they get good results not imagine any statement more calculat to be compared to the anti-submarine Many Americans would resent the suggest to cause unrest and trouble where it operations. The work was necessary; the Les (Laughter.) Lord Beaverbrook was tion that their great nation, was to be to cause intet and They had practi- method of working could not be disclosed

Minister without salary, but he (Mr. Jones) preferred a Minister with a salary, appealed to solely by means of interviews cally agreed as to the total figure for the to the enemy, and it must be judged by results. He had suggested to Lord who would be answerable to Parliament and lecturers. (Heer, bear.) He suggest year's working of the Ministry, and the Beaverbrook that, as had been done by ed that the best propaganda work had Egure would not be extravagant All the the Food Controller, a meeting should be and the country. Mr. Bagge, the or a been done before the new regime began-specific proposals came to the Treasury held with members at which there could tary of the Ministry, was a director of aine companies, and was chiefly interest (Hear, benr.)

Colonel Sir M. Wilson regarded it as afor, sanction, and there was an account be a perfectly frank and open, discussion. ing officer there: One of the first-class ed in rubber: Mr. Hambro tu me pre-mistake to attack a department which had clerks, if the Treasury went twice a weak Lord Beaverbrook had expressed himself of that House, was the direct pain only just come into existence, and which to the Ministry and discussed matters very pleased with the suggestion and had paganda in Scandinavia where no had business connections. That was supplying the men at the front with connected with salaries and any other said he would gladly fall in with such an fact was not a good reason why he necessary information. What they wanted question of interest connected with ax arrangement, which would be not only of penditure. That secured very close con- great interest, but productive of good. should be placed in charge of those coun-was to imbue oar Ministers with initiative,

Some time (Hesr," bear) Mr. Guinness director of pro-and they fould not do that if they were trol and expedited decisions.

JUDGE BY RESULTS. age be made a request to the Ministry, Switzerland, was a director to be followed up by Committees of paganda in of nine companies, and Mr. Cunliffe Owen Inquiry

which he expected would be agreed to,

Bitter attacks had been made upon the Mr. M'Curdy contended that Germany's that should submit to the Treasury was a director of as many as thirty-six

a great success in Russia was due not to her mili-monthly statement of their accounts department, and probably many more tentacles of companies mostly tobacco trust. He was in charge of pro-ry achievements, but to her propaganda. He was quite hopeful that with these wanld be made. It was only fair to say that the Minister of Information was a and the

Her success on the Italian front was also financial arrangements, the Treasury man with a very strong personality, zad paganda throughout Asis East. including Japan. Mr. Tewson was due to the same cause. The need for would exercise a very substantial control men with strong personalities had this in

effective propaganda would continue so previously editor of the Hearst news

long papers, which were formerly unfriendly to this country ACH

tries.

and

common with the magnetism that went

as the war lasted. He was informed over the Ministry of the war with personality-it might exther attract

to that our Minister in Peking had attri Sir H. Dalziel Is the right hon. Allies entirely to our propaganda depart buted the action of China in joining the gentlemen aware that Mr. Towson resign-

ed

there was

derived

In the early. stages doubtedly suffered by leaving propaganda

or repel, and where personality repelled,

so largely to our enemies. The world at one judgment was likely to be warped.

Lord Beaverbrook had taken on a most difficult, delicate, and thankless task. Do got, urged the hon. gentleman,

let his pitch be queered. Give him a

is

Beaverbrook also had control of the official from the, transaction, the profit for some time there was a strong beltet exists, and so I say, let us judge, fairly'})

AL

large did not then appreciate what these his appointment, which was worth overment. The Select Committee had referred islands had done in the war. Mr. Le £1,000 a year, because he disagreed with the Party busincem nun worster Jones had stated that he could not se the Horst policy to heat, regarded, parely from the point of everyone was in the war. The right hon. lait chance and judge him by reaults, but Agency, but any man would agree the need now for propaganda because Mr. L. Jones, said he word Rothermere view of publicity or advertising, the Gov. gentleman forgot that the only chance it. Finally

the ornment had obtained in value at least Germans had of winning the war was to to this extent, that we do not let the per- do let us, in time of war, pull together who was director of the British Empire tenfold in excess of the amount in ques split the Allics, who could only be split tonality of an individual warp our judg He was a director of two compattion, in view of the work thus achieved. elife had stated that he had no share in the many through Wolf's Agency. Reuters was more necessary to counter, than that doing it I know that some prejudice cerned with newspapers. Viscount North

what had been done by by propaganda. There was no more dan mont as to the value of the work he gerous propaganda, and none which it doing, or the means he has employed the improvement which Lord Beaverbrook Germany

be understood, Agency, had, effected in the Ministry. Lord

feeling of amongst our Allies in France that we Dajor H. G. Feel agreed that, prior to were not doing our share, in the war by cular our judgment.

results, and do

(Cheers.) hims. One of these films was entitled, 2018, there was a lot of confusion in the Mr. Chancellor Lord Northcliffe told Mr. MacNeill (Nat, Donegal, S.); "The Man Who Saved the Empire."

An Hon. Member: Lloyd George. Information Department, but since its you that

affairs were organised in February last Mr. Baldwin said, that had to be can aid he objected to the new Ministry be Mr. L. Jones Ford have the power to decide who it was. He placed at its head, a new situation had time, making headway on lines calculated created(2) it was the twenty-fifth Minis could put in the Prime Minister, Admiral been created. We must avoid any risk of to be most destructive to the union at the try created since the war; (3) because its Dersonnel were for the great part not Beatty, or himself. Proceeding, he said having two voices raised upon our foreigo Alliance in that country. Public opinion members of that House, and consequently that a alm was recently produced in Man affairs, and he suggested that we might to-day had far greater weight in mould were not responsible to it; and (4) because chester depicting a German military ont end our Constitution somewhat on the ing Governments and the policies of coun the trail of finance was permeating

lines which obtained in America. We tries than ever before, and unless people whole institution. Further, not only the notice on the screen; the followips should also keep in close touch and com had faith in their Allies and in their head of the Ministry, but his immediate rage, and accompanied possibly be any more trading with these munication with our Allies in the matter canse, it was impossible for them to hold subordinates, were directors or secretaries people after the ward Underneath were of propaga together to the end. There was nothing of public companies. Four members of the words, Ministry of Information.

more important than that the United That was a question of policy. which must

States and our Dominions should know that unique institution, which had been established without a statute, were be decided by the country. It was hot, Mr. Baldwin, replying on behalf of the what was being done. A common form believed to hold among them no less than

Crafty-four company directorships only in regard to Alms that Lord Beaver Government, said the debate had shown brook was taking control; Would all war it was quite time not only that the House (Continued at foot of next Column.)"

(Laughter.ugh Berverbrook would and & very able and influential man was fored In Italy propaganda was, at the Cause (1) it was not constitutionally

There cannot

ge

the

OUR

DAY

Thursday, OCTOBER 24th.

ENTERTAINMENT

AT THE BOTANICAL GARDENS

GATES. OPEN AT 7.30 PM

GRAND DISPLAY "OF

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IN FIVE SET PIECES

ALSO

30 MONSTER ROCKETS.

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The following attractive set pieces will be given.

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piece 24 feet square.

2. Niagara Water Falls. Site of set piece 180 feet by 40 feet; a truly.

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