PUBLIC RIGHTS AT PUBLIC MEETINGS.

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 81, 2 October 1918, Page 4

PUBLIC RIGHTS AT PUBLIC MEETINGS.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,-^-I think every fair-minded citizen would read with; approval your comment on, .the, disgraceful rowdyism at . the opening meeting" of Mr, Mack's candi- I dature. Though not a supporter of. Mr. Mack's, I went to the meeting to hear his views, but the 'TBolchies"—those loud-lunged advocates of free speechwere there in force of set. purpose to' Wake that impossible. I might have known that it would.be so, for I have^ attended. many meetings in Wellington in recent times, and practically all except the Labour meetings were rowdy— the.Bplchie bodyguard saw to that. The Labour meetings were, orderly becauseanyone who ventured to ask even a pertinent question was promptly threat ened. with physical violence, so wise people thought it best not to. discover themselves as "conscientious objectors" at a "Bolchie pow wow " Besides, as Mr Fraser tells.us, one,must,not have an opinion of one's own: in the commoMjvealth of Labour. To the. high priests'of Bolshevism alone belongs the privilege of private judgment, and woe to him who dares to/question their in. fallibility^ « . What 4 surprises me, howeyerj fa that while responsible newspapers and'public men denounce such rowdyism, at public meetings, in no caso have I,seen any suggestion that means should be taken to stamp,out c. tendency so sinister and so subversive- to a healthy public opinion and' the .well-being' of '■ the State. In small,concerns we are .particular." If a few men on-the street or in a publichouse bar^talk too .loudly a policeman comes along and moderates their exuberance, but at a, public meeting where matters of national importance are, or should be,' considered > and settled, ruffianism is allowed-free and unfettered license. Is there no law in this country to ensure, decent order..at'publi^' meetings, and, if not; .why.? ..The^eia such a lira in Britain, and it was "enacted in recent times. .It-has worked well there, a nd, by, cutting. out- the horseplay, has i [forded responsible. citizens a fuller and freer opportunity for discussion and effective' criticism With -us mob law rules, and. decent citizens are snowed under, ',and: so long ajs .such ugly:; conditions obtain.we canhbt-hope to. get the best men to enter public life. Moreover, when a citizen pays for the use of ■a - hall for, any purpose ■ that v is not in conflict with the interest 'of. the State, his right to so use it should not be dependent .on the< whini x of any, blatant mob.—l am, etc.. J» . :. -""^: -./<:,, ... "•;:•■., Vyaya.- ■ ,26th Sopteimper.,,. ,> ■.■/■, ■■■<..