FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 127, 23 February 1940, Page 4

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

THE recent controversy through these columns, on the subject of "Free Speech" has become rather involved. Both members of the Borough Council in voicing their remarks, and also the writers of letters appear to be slightly mixed regarding the true point at issue. The individual known as a "pacifist" is in the news, and it is more or less fashionable to endeavour to take him by the heels in the fervour of patriotic excitement. Be all that as it may,, the BEACON has neither the time nor the inclination to go into the rights or wrongs of such a delicate subject. In a free country we should regard it as a matter of conscience and purely personal, until the champions thereof choose to try inflicting their views on the public at large. Such action is illtimed and pointless when a country is at war. But why inoffensive religious groups should come in for the hail of criticism they have, is hard to understand. Religious meetings of all types, provided these taking part are sincere in their belief and endeavours, are always a recognised feature of the highways and byways of the Empire, but to accuse any group holding a meeting on the road of preaching the doctrine of pacifism is presuming a lot. No doubt every true Britisher at heart is intensely loyal at the present time, no doubt the whole world trembles with apprehension at the sacrifices which will have to be made before the blessings of peace are again with us —but the laws of tolerance must not be ignored in face of the strain under which we are labouring. Even in Whakatane therefore, it would be well to remember that every street speaker is not necessarily a pacifist.