FREE SPEECH AND WINNING THE WAR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 76, 10 July 1942, Page 4

FREE SPEECH AND WINNING THE WAR

Sir,-- Can you imagine such outspoken, direct and detailed criticism of the Government and national leaders as we have had in the House of fCommons this week being permit*-" ted at all in New Zealand, muchness given the widest possible publicity? Gould it be suggested that Britain, is weaker on account of these ex-' posures and the discussion they have provoked? On the contrary. It coming clear that there is more danger in denying information to our own people than in giving some of it to the enemy and the of Speech and of the Press can raise the morale of the community, the strength of the nation and the pro-, grcss of our cause. The new War Administration 4in New Zealand and the postponement of electons add to the importance of free criticism and discussion. The usual party criticism will be diminished and avenues of public criticism and constructive suggestion must be kept open, or discontent suppressed, breaks cut in ways harmful to the war effort. Nearly 2000 people in the Auckland Town Hall last month unani-* mously affirmed certain for revising the present policy and administration of Censorship and"*" Publicity in New Zealand. The speakers were unusually representative and impressive: Rev. Jasper Calder (Chairman), Mrs Hedda Dyson (Editor N.Z. Women's Weekly and leader of Public Opinion Group) Canon Walter Averill, John Hogan (Editor "Democracy" and National Organiser Social Credit Movement), Dr Ulric Williams and Mr B. Bee-* kerleg, LL.B. (Dominion and Empire Organisation) -united in warn-! jg ing against dangers of extreme censorship or restriction. Certain specific recommendations were placed before the Government and the following resolution was carried unanimously:— • "It is of the utmost importance to the future strength, unity and progress of New Zealand in war and peace that our essential liberties should be preserved, particularly the rights of free speech and expression and of open trial. We view with grave concern not only the slow destruction of those rights by censorship more severe, while apparently less needed, than any other democratic country; but the fact that the press and public have hitherto- accepted such restrictions without active protest.'" The recommendations included: That news and opinions published in British or Australian newspapers be not withheld from the New Zealand public-: That greater stress be laid on constructive publicity in Press and Radio, to inspire wellfounded confidence in post-war security: That "Democracy" and other suppressed journals be permitted to continue publication. We must not forget that only when our rights are not .held dear and used well can they be taken from us. Yours etc., N.Z. DEMOCRACY ASSOCIATION.