POLITICAL MURDER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9713, 8 February 1910, Page 5

POLITICAL MURDER.

PREACHED BY INDIAN JOURNALS, VICEROY'S GOVERNMENT MOVES. STRINGENT PRESS BILL INTRODUCED. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright. Received February 7, 8.15 a.m. CALCUTTA, February 6. Sir Herbert Risley, Home Secretary to the Government of India, has submitted to the Viceroy's Council a Press Bill enabling the local Governments without prosecutions to suppress newspapers which are mischievous, though not technically seditious.

In introducing the measure the Home Secretary gave a startling picture with details of the newspapers' anti-British propaganda among the youth from whom t?i j sreat body of civil servants of i .■•u-s was drawn, and the manner i • '.vrich peaceful villages were invaoe i t>y preachers of political murder and sedition.

Sir Herbert added:—"We are confronted by a murderous conspiracy. Newspapers started hereafter must make a deposit of £333. Existing journals will be exempt unless they offend. There will be no censorships, but Customs and postal authorities will be entitled to search in connection with suspected matter, and the deposit will be forfeited on a repetition of the offence unles an appeal to the High Court, is successful."

OPINIONS ON THE MEASURE,

CARE NEEDED IN DEFINITION. IDLE TALK OF FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. Received February 7, 8.30 a.m. LONDON, February 6. The "Daily Chronicle," commenting upon the Press Bill introduced into the Indian Council, urges that care should be taken in the definition of offences like attempts to excite racial class, or religious animosity and hatred. The paper adds: "Sir Herbert Risley's account of a.widespread anarchial propaganda is very striking. When incendiary articles are part and parcel of murderous acts, it is, as Lord Morley said, moonshine to talk hsroics about the freedom of the press." The "Daily News" says: "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."

TWO POINTS OF VIEW. EUROPEAN AND VERNACULAR PRESS. Received February 7, 8.15 a.m. I CALCUTTA, February 6. The "Allahabad Pioneer" says Sir Herbert Risley's indictment is the strongest possible condemnation o± a Government which has allowed the mischief of corruption of the public mind to reach the state described in the Bill. The native paper "Hindu," published at Madras, declares that the innovation now sought by the Bill of executive interference in the discharge of the legitimate functions of the press is a gross infringement of the rights of the people. Anglo-Indian newspapers warmly support the Bill, and deny that a single bona-fide liberty will be assailed.