FREE SPEECH

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 106, 7 May 1942, Page 8

FREE SPEECH

DEMOCRACY ASSOCIATION

, A ?*® w Zealand Democracy Association • n formed in Auckland with the following objects: (1) To win the war ana preserve and extend democracy; (2) to protect the rights of free speech sal expression; (3) to express ti»» will of the electors, and bring pressure to bear on eyepr member of Parliament, irrespective £. party, so that democracy will iwww effective in New Zealand and unnecessary electioneering will -be avoided. An executive has been set up antf-.fl* officials are: President, Mr. John Hocan; hon. secretary, Mr. B. Beckerleg; vics-pre-sidents, Mrs. Hedda Dyson, Mr. John- GilChrist and Mr. H. Head. The committee and Messrs. C. C. Chalmers and F. D. Danks were instructed to draw up a constitution.

The following resolution was carried: We strongly object to the action of the government in attempting to suppresf free and independent criticism of its policy ana methods. We recognise the value of censorship in keeping information from the enemy, but the right of free comment and criticism has already been a vital factor in overcoming obsolete orthodox methods and practices in the Allied war effort. Many people believe that criticism and proposals published from time to time are justified, and that if the Government cannot openly prove otherwise they should be adopted. The Press and radio should be open to free criticism and progressive thought, so that the people of our demo* cracy may have the opportunity to for themselves.**