THE CASE OF NOEL LYONS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 14 July 1925, Page 4

THE CASE OF NOEL LYONS.

(To the Editor)

Sir, —After careful persual of your article - on the above I remain entirely unconvinced that the protest- of the Dunedin watersiders was not well merited. It may be that the terms of the resolution were unduly verbose, but the spirit that prompted the protest i s one that will meet with wide approval. I note with’ interest that in spite of your severe strictures upon Lyons and the Dunedin watersiders, you are not prepared to defend the altogether tyrannical law under which he is now incarcerated in the “land of the free.” The law in question is one-that takes us back almost beyond Magna Charta and abrogates in detail those boasted principles of liberty and justice which, at least in theory, have been the chief pride of the British people for centuries past. Under it the Attorney-General is apparently given uncontrolled power to order the immediate deportation ot anyone whose views may be repugnant to him, and who does not happen to have been nine months in this “land of liberty.” The position is aggravated by the fact that the Attorney-General who exercises this power is not an elected representative of the people. The unfortunate individual against whom the law is set in motion has no right of trial either by jury or otherwise, and no right of appeal of any kind. In the case of Lyons this law has been applied in all ■ its severity on the flimsiest of pretexts. His undesirable character is apparently demonstrated to the satisfaction of Sir. Francis Bell by the fact that he organised a demand for better conditions for th© firemen on the Manuka. He had the brazen effrontery to ask that these firemen should he allowed certain food that apparently in the eyes of Sir Francis Bell should be the exclusive privilege of first-class passengers. Admitting the heinousness of his offence in this matter, can we seriously he asked to believe that this man. is a menace to the million and a quarter people in this “land of the free?” And if Lyons is such a menace to the Empire will you, Mr. Editor, tell us- why the patriots of Empire allowed him to be shipped to France at the age. of fourteen years to participate in the “war for democracy?” As Lyons himself asked the Court, can we call it- democracy to bundle a man out of -.the country for doing nothing whatever?' Finally, Mr. Editor, I would like to suggest that you should come out a little more boldly in denouncing the injustice of this law in denying the right of trial to those against whom it is set in motion. I think the Press of New Zealand should agitate f°r its repeal. While it remains in force we must stand the reproach of tolerating laws which in their provisions belie our proud boast- to he the champions of demoeraev, —I am etc., BYSTANDER. Hawera, July 11, 1925.