SEDDON-TAYLOR CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1385, 21 February 1905, Page 2

SEDDON-TAYLOR CASE.

’(To the Editor. Gisborne .Times,

•Sir,. —Doubtless because it would have been subjudice, the Seddon-Tay-lor libel suit has not evoked much discussion or criticism in the press, beyond the bare reports of the proceedings,, but now, that it is happily, settled, it is surely; competent for us ftp consider tho causes of tho action and its results', aio review the trial Without; bias: ia perhaps difficult,, it ia certainly, proper for thoso who lave the freedom of speech and critic cism so dear to the British race throughout the worlds to at least support it [by,, their approval, and. condemn an action which if successfui would ha,Ye bad the opposite effect. The Bill of Rights, (1689), which in POStat ot importance ranks next to the Magna. .Gharta in establishing the rights anjcl privileges our, fathers fought and bled for, lays down *‘that the freedom of speech and debate and proceedings in. parliament, ought not ' to. be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of parii.amenfc.” It therefore must strike one as somewhat strange that, some 300 years afterwards, in 1901, the descendants of these men (living in the most 'democratic country, in. the world)* are less loving Pf liberty, and less jealous pf their righto than their ancestors. It would seem that we [are now prepared to .view: With equanimity; insidious attempts to stifle criticism of officers pf the Crown, and tho freedom of speech of our representatives’in Parliament,; and that wc can complacently, regard libel laws which restrict the freedom of the Press, to an-extent unknown in any, other part of the Empire, so that public men and their actions,, may, not be subject Xo'-thc full gleam of the searchlight of public opinion and tru'thj The more representative a Government becomes, the more necessary, it is for the well-being of the natipn that .the expression of individual thought should fee _ free in every direction ;■ and. it is’- natural and proper that the nation’s- representatives in Parliament and its precincts should fee perfectly; free to discuss any matten whatsoever which may be pf interest or benefit to. the State./ Legislators are not, by. their greatness, debarred from feeing human, and what ; is more natural than ‘that a discussion or criticism originating in the House, should be discussed inj its precincts ? Is it not to /the public interest that the competence •or incompetence of any, official or- public man. should be proved by his past actions or career?, —and why. should not our representatives do their best to see that we get full .value in return for the salaries wo pay ? It is a matter of no interest to most of us whether , Captain Seddon was a coward, or N whether Mr Taylor is the rnose scur- ( rilous of human beings ;• but it is of interest to us that a representative of the people should not bo crushed for a criticism (which may or may not have been excessive -in its sever-

ityi)„ by all the authority, weight, anil influence that may bo brought to bear by p.owcr almost autocratic, urider the cloak of Liberalism,*—whea this cause eelobre ” is almost forgotten, it will indeed, bo interesting to see what advantages may accrue (to the witnesses who have sacrificed so muoir to attend, and give evidence. It may be that virtue will he • rewarded and that lucrative appointments will ho at a discount- iTimo alone will prove. ' iWe as a race have ever been! long ! sphering, hut the people will not for ever be blind and allow, verbose I orators to throw: dust in their eyes. More powerful Ministries- than that whioh rules at present have fallen in ignominy/ and shame, and nothing j hastens the destruction, of a cabal more speedily than an attempt to directly, impinge on - the people's freedom- It is not for Mr Taylor I that.. I plead for your readers’ symbut for themselves. Let thorn hut allow this case to go, unnoticed, aad without support and others will fgllow j tlicir representatives will be gagged and freedom of speech in the Assembly which should he beyond fear, will perhaps he lost for a decade or more. it therefore appeal to every free man, to every man who loves his country, to every man who" does not see!* a Govern-

ment appointment or fear thePowers that he, to give me his name and (whatever mite he can spare—if only a shilling—for a testimonial to the man who has been fighting our battle, with a stout heart and alone, who may have been indiscreet and ill-advised, but, who, whatever bis faults and shortcom-

in.ga, is ‘‘(grit to the core and has been, fighting to see our, money well speint. Will yon let him suffer for it, will you give no approval '! ff Pass the hat for, ypur credit’s sake, and Pay •! Pay !i Pay !> —I am etc.',

W, LISSAfNT.'CL'AjYTON