A CONFUSION OF REGULATION

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 191, 10 May 1941, Page 10

A CONFUSION OF REGULATION

An unsatisfactory position has been created by the Government's latest decision in respect of the organization known as the Witnesses of Jehovah. According to a notification published in Thursday’s Gazette, and an accompanying statement by the Attorney-General, authority has been given for members of the organization to hold meetings “for study of the Bible, prayer or worship, and for no other purpose”—subject to certain conditions. These conditions are, that such meeting be held in a building or a tent, that ho public notice of such meetings be given “except such as may be permitted by a constable,” and that only members or former members be present. Regulations under which this particular notice is given empower the Attorney-General to give similar dispensations to other organizations which have been declared subversive. Much confusion is likely to be created by this changing of mind and piling of one Regulation upon another.

In June of last year the Government took power to declare certain organizations to be subversive. The Regulation which placed such power in the hands of the Attorney-General, declared, inter alia, that

No person shall participate in the activities of, or aid, abet, or encourage in any way whatsoever the continuance of activities or objects of any subversive organization, or by any badge symbol, uniform, flag, banner, or any other means whatsoever identify himself with or express his approval of any subversive organization.

In pursuance of the Regulation, of which the foregoing clause is a part, the Attorney-General on October 21 of last year declared the Witnesses of Jehovah to be a subversive organization. And the declaration has not been revoked. It would seem plain, therefore, that the Attorney-General’s latest decision is incompatible with his previous declaration. He is permitting people to do what his declaration forbids them to do. Indeed, by encouraging “the continuance of activities or objects of any subversive organization,” to the extent that he is doing, the Attorney-General is flouting his own edict.