A “MUZZLING ACT.”

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20275, 18 August 1937, Page 9

A “MUZZLING ACT.”

A FEDERAL MEASURE. MINISTER’S DICTATORIAL POWERS. RIGHT OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLY.’*"’* (From a Correspondent.) CANBERRA, July 30. By empowerig the Attorney-General to declare any part of Canberra.to be a “ proclaimed area,” making it possible for that authority to prohibit meetings under heavy penalty of more than 20 people anywhere in the Federal Capital Territory for the discussion of public affairs, the new Unlawful Assemblies Ordinance gazetted last week goes much further than the famous War Precautions Regulations on which it has been based. Most of the war precautions regulations were repealed in 1920, when the need for them no longer existed, but one unrepealed section banned public assemblies in Hie vicinity of Parliament House, Melbourne, when the Commonwealth Parliament was located there. This regulation has been revived in respect to Canberra, and its scope considerably widened. I.oral added powers given to Hm AltornryGeiiernl. Someone “ Has Blundered." The statement by the prime Minister iMr Lyons > in Sydney that flie ordinance was designed In pmli-cl the deliberations of Parliament has failed pointed l out. that in all ullier British Parliamenls. Hie legislation was by represenlali\es of tin- people eoneerned. blundered, and even in departmental circles, where criticism of direct ministerial action is md always readilv forthcoming, d is iceded I lint lie- ordinance provides for unprecedented inMr Paterson • Amazed.’’ gesl iou Ilia I. Hie " proclaimed ” areas would he extended hey (he limits of the grounds ..f !’arlianmiil ll.m-e. said H. at it cnTd n-d be ivga nlei'l n’s'a •• ] am amazed 'that so much lias been made of it." said Mr Pate-son, referring lo the. public feeling against the new regulations. Asked if there was any possibility (Continued lu previous column.)