The Lyons Case.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18407, 13 June 1925, Page 14

The Lyons Case.

It may be assumed that tho Labour representatives who are exerting themselves on behalf of the I.W.W. agitator Noel Lyons, who has been ordered to leave the Dominion, are not moved by sympathy with the opinions of this man, J but are really anxious that "the foundations, of British, liberty" shall not bo imporilled. Other people, however, who valuo liberty and law as much as any Labour representatives can, have nA fear at all that liberty is being endangered by the proscription of an agitator who thinks that liberty means a license to work serious mischief. Labour men are rather apt to imagine, in cases like this, that they alone have given the matter serious thought, and that the acquiescence of the public in the action taken by the authorities means that the public "does not realise "what is at stake." If they have not modesty enough, they ought to have common sense cnotigh to suggest to them that there is at least as much intelligence and vigilance, and as much

regard for civil rights outside - the I Trades Halls as inside them. In the present case, the absence of any sigu that the public is opposed to the order of deportation moans that the public feels that the common wolf are Will benefit from the execution of the order. The law, as it stands, gives a very great power to the Attorney-General, who, if ho can persuado his colleagues to consent, can order anybody who is not, a permanent resident' to leave the Dominion, under penalty of arreßt .and

imprisonment. Ho has only to feel Batisfied that the person concemod is disaffected, disloyal, or likely to bo a source of danger to peace, order, and good government. Against any , abuse of this power public opinion is a perfectly effective safeguard, and public opinion, is unquestionably on the side of the Government in its determination to get rid of Noel Lyons. As Mr Coates pointed out ia the statement reported yesterday, there are rights of exclusion which cannot be challenged on the ground that tho exercise of them is an affront to the principles of liberty; and the xight of deportation is a natural extension of tho right of' exclusion. 'No

rational person would oppose tho exclusion of a man bent upon stirring up strife and converting ignorant people to his disastrous doctrines— l of such a man as Noel Lyons; and a man who ought to bo excluded ought to be doported. Tho fullest liberty is accorded in this country- to thoso who caro to advocate the replacement of our existing social and political organisations by now ones which they think will be better, provided that their advocacy respects law, order, and good feeling. But for thoso who seek to effect social and political changes through hatred and violence, by the short cut of strikes, disorder, sabotage, and the bomb, there can be no toleranco whatever. New Zealand is less in need than any other country of any large changes in its organisations, and it ought to resent more than any other country any attempt by alien-minded agitators to intioduce the ruffianly and ruinous ideas of the LW.W. or the Bed International. It will certainly support the Government in any action which it may find necessary for tho enforcement { of the law in , the case now awaiting conclusion.