Military Censorship in World War I: Its Use and Abuse in New Zealand

Abstract

Among the unfortunate necessities of warfare are the imposing of restraints upon the publication of news and the exercising of vigilance over cablegrams and letters. The attainment of these objectives requires governments to assume exceptional powers for the suppression of freedom of expression. Under such circumstances it can become impossible for public opinion, the fundamental basis of all free government, both to assert itself and to be enlightened. When coupled with official propaganda, 'this process of restricting the flow and of poisoning the source of public information.... bred habits of reticence if not of mendacity in government circles and habits of scepticism if not of incredulity in the public, which are not without their influence on the crisis of democracy in the world at large today.' New Zealand's first experience of such censorship was gained during World War I, but, as far as I am aware, neither the restrictions imposed nor their effects upon the political life of the community have previously been subjected to careful scrutiny. This period is also noteworthy because it was during those years that a New Zealand government first enacted legislation of the type which was so severely criticised during the industrial crisis of 1951.