BANNED LITERATURE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 310, 25 September 1918, Page 6

BANNED LITERATURE

ATTITUDE OF THE GOVERNMENT. The' Acting-Prime Minister (Sir James AllenN made the following statement yesterday :— "Tli'flre is. so much misrepresentation v.-ith re«a«'t 'to the Government's action in stopping the sale or circulation of literature likely to create hostility or ill-will between different classes, and endanger the public safety that . it seems desirable to state the position o'ffieially. "Tn doing so I desire to emphasise thfc fact that in the perilous times •Wβ are now enduring it. is of the utmost importance that sectarian strife should no he encouraged, arc! that we should unitedly strive to end the war nnd secure a'lasting peace. It is the duty of the Government to prevent, during the war, the circulation of mutter so oHViKiive in language, allegations, or insinuations as to give rise to justifiable resentment by any class of the community. "It is considered .that literature attacking any religious doctrine or political principle is only objectionable if the language used is outrageous in its violence. Again, the attribution to a religious sect of objects distinct from tbe adtivncfinpiit of rclisriom is not of itself sufficient to justiliy intervention by the Government. But the attribution of habitual immorality to classes of persons who have token a vi)v of celibacy is beyond the line of , controversy- diintir.; the war. Members of one of such classes cannot ! defend rhemwlves, and the public pence and safety would be endangered if the circulation of such matter were permitted."