MUST BE PUT DOWN

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 107, 2 November 1939, Page 13

MUST BE PUT DOWN

PRO-NAZI ACTIVITIES

ORGANISATIONS IN BRITAIN

"WAR BEHIND LINES"

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.)

(Received November 2, 9 a.m.)

LONDON, November 1

The Home Secretary, Sir John Anderson, stated in the House of Commons that the Government considered that a regulation to put down the activities of pro-Nazi organisations in Britain was "absolutely essential." Under the guise of harmless social organisations, anti? British leagues were carrying on a war "behind the lines." One Nazi organisation had ordered its members to "turn themselves into rumourmongers and channels of propaganda." They were instructed to ridicule Britain's civil defence measures and foster the idea that evacuation was unnecessary.

"If only this propaganda can be disseminated it will be suggested that people shall return to London, resulting in the defeat of an important measure in the interests of the civil population," said the Minister. "This organisation is well known to be anti-Jewish and pro-Nazi."

After a stormy debate, in which the stringency of the proposed regulations under the emergency powers of the Defence Act were strongly criticised, the Lord Privy Seal, Sir Samuel Hoare, promised that the regulations would be reintroduced with amendments. In the meantime, with a view to maintaining national unity, the Government would consult the-Opposition on the matter.