FREE SPEECH

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 88, 13 April 1917, Page 7

FREE SPEECH

LABOUR MEN'S CHARGES

Free speech and the imprisenment of Labour men were discussed by a deputation from the Timber Worker's Federation which waited upon itte ActingPrime Minister (Sir James Alien) yesterday.

Mr. T. O'Byrne said the Timber ■Workers' Conference protested against the extension of the liiG of Purliament. They considered it a bleach of the Constitution. They, protested alsb against the suppression of ' the right* of free speech. They now had men in gaol who had ,spoken freely and criticised Parliament. It was a poor Parliament ■which could not stand criticism. Thjbse men had said nothing very wrong 3 it was Parliament that had been wron£. Labour felt very deeply, for these men were their leaders, and it got theij backs up. When they' were talking about pouring oil on the troubled waters, they were just making trouble. "We think they should be released," concluded Mr. O'Byrne. "That is rather a big arder for a man in my position."

Sir James Allen, replied that he considered the prolongation of Parliament '. quite reasonable, to avoid strife, wken the two main parties had come together at some sacrifice.

t A member; And adopted a. go-slow, _ 1 policy. Sir James : I think the pace is very i rapid. Anyhow, progress is being made. i He wanted to say that they were not?I suppressing the right of free speech or | criticism of the Government jTho Govi oriiment had been fairly criticised. He j had come in for his full share. They , might criticise tho government, but i they must not break the law or the regulations. The men who were in gaol had done more than criticise. The Magistrates had found them guilty of . breaking the regulations which had been made solely for the purpose of helping to win the war. The Government did not suppress tho right of free- speech, but it must uphold the law and the regulations. "No one is more sorry than. I am that these men are in gaol." Mr. O'Byrne : Well, you can let them out. Sir James : No; that would be a. sign of weakness. We cannot hoist tho white flag. Mr. J. Read : Well, it is a, rotten scheme of government, anyway. Sir James : That may be your opinion. I do not agree with you. ■Mr. Read : You make a long Parliament, and make laws of your own, and anyone who differs from you gets a term in tho cooler.

Sir James Allen repeated fihafc the right of free speech and criticism was not interfered with. .