"MURDEROUS CONSPIRACY."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 309, 8 February 1910, Page 5

"MURDEROUS CONSPIRACY."

STATE OF AFFAIRS IN INDIA. STRINGENT PRESS BILL. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright London, February (i. Sir H. H. Risley, Home Secretary for India, ill submitting to the Viceroy's Council a Press Bill enabling local governments, without prosecutions, to suppress newspapers which are mischievous, though not technically seditious, gave a startling picture of the details' of newspapers' anti-British propaganda among the youths from whoni the great body of civil servants in India are drawn, and the manner in which peaceful villages are invaded by preachers ot political murders and sedition. He added: "We are confronted by n murderous conspiracy." started hereafter must make a deposit of !'.333. Existing journals are exempt, unless they offend. No censorship will be exercised, but the Customs and Postal authorities are entitled to search in connection with suspected matter. The deposit will be forfeited on the repetition of an offence, unless an appeal to the High Court is successful. The Chronicle urges that care should be taken in the definition of offences like attempts to excite racial, class, or religious animosity and hatred, and adds that Sir 11. Risley's' accounts of widespread anarchical propaganda are very striking. Viscount Morley says that when incendiary articles are part and parcel of murderous acts it is moonshine to talk heroics about freedom of the press. The Daily News says' that no Indian' editor will be able to print a single adverse comment upon the administration of the Government's policy or officials' actions. If revolution is driven underground the peril will be incalculable. INDIAN OPINION. Calcutta, February 0. The Allahabad Pioneer says that Sir H. Risley's; indictment is the strongest possible condemnation of a Government which has allowed the mischief and corruption of the public mind to reach the state described in the Bill. The Madras Native paper, the Hindu, declares that the innovation now sought by the executive is an interference in the discharge of the press's legitimate functions. Th Bill is a gros's infringement of the rights of the people, Anglo-Indian newspapers warmly support the Bill, and deny that a single bona fide liberty is assailed.