FREE SPEECH

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 118, 15 November 1939, Page 10

FREE SPEECH

PRESS AND M.P.'S

MR. SAVAGE'S THREAT

MAY BE TREATED AS SEDITION

An indication that freedom of speech and' freedom of the Press must not be abused was given by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) in an interview with "The Standard," the official organ of the Labour Party, published today. Mr. Savage said that even members of Parliament were not going to be allowed "to step on it." "What was an offence during the last war is an offence during the present war," - Mr. Savage said. "The Standard's" interpretation of Mr. Savage's remarks is that they are a reminder to persons who are openly talking of "revolt" and "insurrection" that there is such a crime as sedition, and that provision is made for dealing with it under the War Regulations.

Certain promises had been made to ihe Old Country, said Mr. Savage, and those promises were going to be carried out until the Government could see something better to do. The Government believed in freedom of speech and freedom of the! Press, but it was determined that that freedom was not going to be abused.

-...Was it a fair thing, he asked, that when thousands of young men had offered their services for the defence of the British Commonwealth and were prepared to serve abroad, other people should take up an opposite, view and do everything they could to destroy the efforts of the Government to assist the Mother Country? "SHOULD HOLD THEIR TONGUES." In the public interest and to ensure the safety of the people, such persons should hold their tongues. The men Who were enrolling were just as intelligent as anyone else in the community and their interests must be protected. There were big issues before the country—bigger. than any political issues—and the question to be asked was: Is an intelligent .democracy or despotism to rule? . New Zealand was still, a democratic country in spite of all that the newspapers had to say, Mr. Savage continued, and there would be nothing to prevent, the people making a change of Government at the next election if they desired a change. "I have been told," he said, "but so far I have not\been given proof, that circulars have been sent out advising: people not to pay their rent.' If that is correct the persons wh6 have done that will be brought up with a round turn. The people must pay their way in war the same as in peace. Persons who advise others not to pay their taxes or their rent are enemies of the nation and will be treated accordingly," Mr. Savage declared. The Opposition, he said, had pledged itself to co-operate with the Government, but its members were going round the country using every opportunity they could get for decrying the Government and everything the Government did. They had tstken advantage of the present situation to make all sorts 'of \statements without troubling to check whether they were true. MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. "I want to make it clear that even members of Parliament are not going to be allowed to 'step on it' as they think fit," he added. "And the leading columns of the newspapers are being openly used to, discredit everything the Government is doing. "At the same time as these people talk about the desirability of co-opera-tion on the part of, the.people of the country they at least ought to give some evidence of sincerity. Most of the leading articles that are written against the Government are so weak that one could .drive a.horse and cart through them. ' ~ ■

"Our opponents are now saying that we are making unprecedented use of the radio, but what other method can we use? They have asked for information and Mr. Nash is giving them information. It is information about what the Government is doing and it is necessary that it should reach all the people."