SEDITIOUS LITERATURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 April 1921, Page 5

SEDITIOUS LITERATURE.

ITS USE AGAINST THE STATE. IMPORTANT OPINION ON LAW. By Talegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Replying to Mr. Holland, who complained of the censorship of certain* books and pamphlets which, he claimed, contained a most valuable presentation of the case for constructive industrialism, and urging the release of imprisoned men, Sir Francis Bell (AttorneyGeneral) says it is neither unlawful nor seditious to advocate the wildest forms of Socialism or Communism, but it is unlawful to advocate murder and violence as legitimate methods for the attainment of political ends. Tlie Government does not intend to interfere with liberty of speech or action, but does intend to prevent, and will use its powers to prevent, violence and lawlessness. Officers will, in accordance with a duty imposed on them by law, endeavor to bring to justice persons who refuse to comply with that condition, and the Government will not establish ) the practice of exercising its prerogative of pardon in favor of such persons when convicted. The mere possession of such literature may be technically correct but that is not the offence seriously contemplated by the law. The circulation of such documents, and the possession of a number of such documents obviously for purposes of circulation, is in itself plainly the deliberate advocacy of murder, and is therefore criminal and punishable.