ENEMIES OF STATE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 137, 10 May 1940, Page 7

ENEMIES OF STATE

PENALTIES IN BRITAIN. HARMFUL PROPAGANDA. WIDE POWERS' TAKEN. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright;.) Received Mav 10, 9.30 a.m. LONDON, May 9. The Minister of Home Security (Sir John Anderson), in the House of Commons, said that under the Defence Regulations a new Bill would impose the death penalty for grave cases of espionage and sabotage. The penalties for harmful propaganda would include seven years’ imprisonment or a fine of £SOO or both.

Power has been taken under the new Orders-in-Cou licit to intern 11011enemy aliens who would ordinarily be deported but cannot be ’ deported to their own country by reason of circumstances arising from the war (states the British Official Wireless.) Provision has been made for ‘control over the entry into Great Britain of persons repatriated from enemy territory who, though technically British subjects, have no close association with British interests. They may lie detained where necessary and required to reside within a specified area and not travel outside without permission. The main regulation dealing with propaganda provides that if the Secretary of State is satisfied that any person or organisation is concerned with the systematic publication of matter calculated to foment opposition to the prosecution of the war to a successful issue, and that serious mischief lias been caused thereby, he is empowered to give a forma! warning and if, despite such formal warning, such activities continue he mav impose a sentence of penal servitude for seven years or a fine of £SOO, or both. INCITING OFFENCES. Besides making it an offence to endeavour to incite men who are liable to military service to evade their duties, the regulations provide penalties for endeavouring to incite persons to abstain from enrolling voluntarily in any of the defence services. Finally, the Secretary of State is empowered to direct that no further use shall be made pending application .to the High Court of any printing press which has been used for the production of documents published in contravention of the regulations dealing with illegal propaganda. Sir John Anderson concluded: -“I am satisfied that these powers are necessary to meet a situation with which we may be faced, and I trust the Government’s action will command support in all quarters of the House.” An earlier Press Association message stated that six leading members of the Peace Pledge Union, including Alexander Wood, had been summoned to appear at Bow Street Police Court for alleged breaches of the defence regulations. The Attorney-General (Sir Donald Somervell) declared that the prosecution was based on a poster issued by the Peace Pledge Union inciting men to refuse to fight. The hearing was adjourned.