RIGHTS OF THE CITIZEN

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23349, 7 June 1941, Page 8

RIGHTS OF THE CITIZEN

“GESTARO METHODS” CONDEMNED ELECTION INCIDENT DEPLORED "Gestapo methods” were hotly condemned at the annual conference ol the North Canterbury District of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union yesterday. Moved on behalf of the executive, the following resolution was carried: “That this conference place on record its strong protest against tolerance of any Gestapo methods in this country, such as has been alleged occurred in Wellington recently- towards an election candidate.” The resolution. was introduced on the order paper under the heading ‘‘Democracy." Moving its adoption, Mr A. M. Carpenter said that members would see in an incident at the recent elections in Wellington a violation ol a principle which they as members of a democracy deplored. Under a democratic constitution a man had the right to stand up and put forward any views in a constitutional way without being subjected to such treatment as, it was alleged, had been given to a Wellington election candidate. ■ There was direct evidence, too, that this was not ari isolated case by any means. The Farmers’ Union, wfcich stood for principles and not for party politics, should make a strong public protest. This country was founded ■upon the tradition of free speech, a tradition which was sacred to its people ami icr which its soldiers were now dying on the balucaclds. This conlereu.e could noi ;oo strongly deprecate ine action that nad been taken in Wellington. It had not happened here, but it might. Mr W. J. Wright seconded the resolution. He said there was nothing he need add, as Mr Carpenter had put the matter plainly. , Mr W. H. Overton (West Melton) said that West Melton delegates hao been instructed to oppose the resolution. He said he had hoped that the mover would have been more expiici in his references. In this country il must be remembered there was British justice available, and if a man wanted protection or redress he should take the matter up himself in the nghl quarter, the Court. If he did not want to take it up himself it was not for the North Canterbury farmers to do so. Further, it was another principle of British justice that a man was innocent until he was proved guilty, and there was talk about Gestapo methods without proof of it. Mr Spencer Bower said he could not entirely agree with Mr Overton’s remarks about justice. Already the people of New Zealand had seen a contravent.on of British justice in the amendments to the Small Farms Act. They were the thin end of the wedge. As for the occurrences complained of in the resolution, there was no doubt that they did happen. The resoiuticn was’ adopted with some dissentients.