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Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1926, Page 2

The extravagant language of the Labor leaders in Christchurch regarding the press, carries its own condemnation on the face of it. No doubt the citizens generally in Christchurch are blushing for their Mayor who seemed to strike the keynote for the speeches which followed. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of it all, is the failure of these exponents of Labor thought to see things as they are. While they were glorying in the muzzling of the London press, and suggesting the same treatment for the New Zealand press which did not see eye to eye with them in their methods, the linotype operators in London wore getting hack to work as best they could and under a promise not to further attempt to interfere with the policy of the newspaper ! It was a comlete capitulation, which could come only from the feeling that they had failed, or that they had a mistaken idea of their power in the matter. The railwaymen gave in on similar lines, and we have one of tlfeir rabid leaders accusing them of accepting humiliating terms. No doubt Mr Archer, Mr Armstrong and the other speakers at Christchurch will now he reviling the London linotype operators because they, too, have accepted what the leaders believe to be humiliating terms. .The fact is that the men have realised the true position and awakened somewhat late to a sense of their personal and public obligations. What is serious about these Christchurch speeches is that the

speakers are preaching revolution—the power of might over right to shut llovvit thf) pre'sk which is not favourable to them. It is the type of speech which in a crisis might bear a certain amount of fruit, and as in London some one would suffer. The policy that Labor espouses is a deliberate attack on ' the freedom of the press, which is virtually an attack on freedom of speech, the one vehicle for the national safety under constitutional government. Labor would dispose of all opposition to its fanatical ways and methods by a law of universal prohibition. Those who are not for us, are against us, Labor would say, and they may not bo heard. This intoleront policy evidenced at such a time is illuminating, and shows the real trend of Labor. Labor is out in its true colors, aiid it is well to note the flaming red of its policy garments. The Christchurch incident is thus of considerable value as a straw' to show how the political thoughts of Labor are blowing. The public would be wise to make a mental note of- the position, and the occasion. To be forewarned is to be forearmed for possible emergency in the future.