MR HOGAN AGAIN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 64, 12 June 1942, Page 2

MR HOGAN AGAIN

FARMERS' UNION PASSES RESOLUTION Plii-Si:uv IXG THAI )1 TIOXAL RIGHT At the recent annual conference of the Auckland Provincial delegates to the Xew Zealand Kramers' Union Mr Briseoe Moore, with the leave of the conference, introduced a subject not on Lhc agenda, namely the recent banning under censorship regulations of a journal entitled "Democracy, - ' a fortnlghtly publication issued in Auckland and edited by Mr John Hogan. This action, he said, was taken suddenly and for no specific reason that had been ascertained, but it followed shortly alter an article had appeared adversely criticising the Government's financial policy, particularly the "Lionds for lumbers" campaign. He said lie was not attempting to justify the policy of the paper, but it was grossly unjust that the editor had been treated in such a manner without any charge having been made, and with no opportunity for public redress. Mr J. 11. Kumiss said there was an important issue at stake. It was

their duty to criticise the Government when they deemed it necessary. and if tiie principle were left unchallenged that a Government was above criticism then we should get precisely the kind of dictatorship we were fight i ng ngainsi. Sir G. IJ. Michie said he had seen the article referred to. and he was not surprised that it had been challenged bv the censors, but that was no reason for victimisation. A resolution a\ as carried unanimously that the following message be sent to the Prime Minister: ".I am instructed by the Auckland Provincial Gcnference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union to convey to you its concern at the methods used under the censorship regulations in Lite recent suppression of the fortnightly paper 'Democracy.' 'Without identifying itself with the views or policy of the editor, this conference is strongly of the opinion that in taking any such action the Government should prove , its case in open court before a common jury, thus preserving the traditional right of every !>ritish subject."