THE NATIONAL SAFETY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2948, 7 December 1916, Page 6

THE NATIONAL SAFETY

The latest batch of War Regulations issued by the Government will meet with the approval of every patriotic New Zealander. It is not merely that they are aimed at protecting the community against the evil influences of seditious utterances and conspiracy and designed to suppress the efforts of ill-disposed persons to interfere openly or by secret means with the performance of our part in the prosecution of the war, but they should also bring homo to everyone the gravity of the task with which we are oonfronted. A good many people are still inclined to look on the war as a faroff thing which affects us only indirectly, and some even claim a liborty and licenso to act and talk without regard for tho possible effect of their words and actions in militating against the smooth working of the measures adopted to enable us to meet our obligations and safeguard our national existence. Seditious utterances, both here and in Australia, have in the past been treated with a contemptuous indifference which has had mischievous effects. It has encouraged the sedi-tion-mongers in their noisy vapourings and has sometimes led those who listen, to their teachings into indiscretions which have culminated in publio disordor. This is no time for loose talk of any kind likely to hinder the efforts of those in authority in the heavy task which they have in hand. The regulations give wide powers, _ but no loyal citizen who wishes his country well in this jvav can have the least objection to their enforcement. On the contrary they should be generally welcomed.