WAR LEGISLATION

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20922, 29 September 1939, Page 6

WAR LEGISLATION

TEST IN QUEBEC ELECTION TO BE HELD CENSORSHIP IMPOSED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tei. Copyright) NEW YORK, Sept. 28 The Quebec provincial general election is being subjected to censorship for the first time in Canada’s history, says the New York Times Ottawa correspondent. The Premier, Mr Maurice Duplessis, has announced that the election will be held on the Federal war legislation, which it was alleged was an incursion on constitutional rights infringing Quebec’s autonomy. Under the restrictions, the broadcasting of speeches at political meetings has been banned. Only studio broadcasts, the texts of which have been submitted in advance to the censors, are being permitted. The censors point out that the rule was promulgated before the announcement that the election was being held, and that it therefore has no special application to the election. Mr Duplessis, however, asserted that the rule will prevent free discussion of questions vitally important to the electors. “I, as Premier, will not submit texts of speeches,” he added. “I contend I have the right to express my view and the Province’s views without the Federal Government passing judgment thereon.” Some newspapers reported that it was expected election censorship would be extended to newspaper reports of meetings, but a member of the censorship board denied this.