MORAL LAPSES ALLEGED.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20563, 3 June 1932, Page 11

MORAL LAPSES ALLEGED.

ENGLISH RECTORY CASE. PROTESTS AGAINST PUBLICITY. (UKITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—BT ELICTBIO 3EIEGEAPH—COPYRIGHT.) LONDON, Juno 1. "I am conferring with his lawyers to see if it. is possible to legislate whereby abuse of publicity can be restrained without injuring justice," said the Primate, tho Most Rev. Dr. Cosmo Lang, alluding to the Stiffkey case, at the opening of tho Convocation of Canterbury. "It raises the issue whether it is necessary, in the interest of public morals and justice, that such a stream of sordid and unsavoury de:ails should be poured into the public mind. I liavo received many indignant protests, including one from the Diocesan Couribil of Perth." He adde'd: It is deplorable to think that the case has been telegraphed to every part of the Dominions. When the trial of the Rev. Harold F. Davidson, Rector of Stiffkey, on 'charges of moral lapses was resumed at Church House, Westminster, the Chancellor, Mr F. K. North. Baid he bad received anonymous letters protesting against the publicity being given I to the case by the Press. The letters urged that the enquiry should be held in camera. "I have no power to do that," he said, "and if I had I would not. I believe in publicity. Serious as the mischief _ may be of publishing nasty details, it i 3 not nearly so serious as the mischief of secret trials might be. As long as I have any discretion whatever I shall do what I have to do in public. "If things aro supposed to be wrong careful enquiry should be made and it is right that people should know how careful it is." When Mr Levy, for the defence, said he hoped thiit by the end of next week there would be "nothing left of this care,'' Mr North replied: I should not te_ so sure.. You are entitled to every minute you want. This is a very tjerious matter.