FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 31, 16 November 1939, Page 3

FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

“MUST NOT BE ABUSED.” WARNING BY THE/PREMIER. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, November 15. Stating that certain premises had been made to the Old Country and they were going to be carried out until the Government could see something bettei to do, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage), in the “Standard,” is reported as saying: “What was an offence during the last war is an offence during the present war. I want to make it clear that even members of Parliament are not going to be allowed to step on it as they think fit. and the leading columns of the newspaper are being openly used to discredit everything the .Government is doing.” , The Governmnt believed in freedom of speech and freedom of the press, hut was determined that that freedom was not going to he abused. He had been told, but so far had not been given proof, that circulars had been sent out advising people not to pay their rent. If that was correct, persons who had done that would be brought up with a round turn. The people must pay their way in war the same as in peace. Persons who advise others not to pay their taxes or their rent were enemies of the nation and would he treated accordingly. The Opposition had pledged itself to co-operate with the Government, hut its members were going round the country using every opportunity they could get for decrying the Government and everything the Government did. They had taken advantage of the present situation to make all sorts of statements without troubling to check whether they were true. Most of the leading articles written against the Government were so weak that a horse and cart could be driven through them. Their opponents were complaining that the Government was making an unprecedented use of radio, hut what other method could it use? “They have asked for information and Mr Nash is giving them information. It is information about what the Government is doing and it is necessary that it .should reach all the people.”