THE SQUARE AND FREE SPEECH

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16492, 6 March 1914, Page 3

THE SQUARE AND FREE SPEECH

TO TTUS EDITOR. Sir,—Your special pleading on behalf of Messrs Sorensen and Co. that their attempt to close the Square to public meetings, is not an attack upon free speech is. “ an. unwarranted straining of the facts.” Fortunately we have only to read the-'"speeches of Councillors Sorensen and Hayward to be convinced-, that -poll are in error. Councillor ‘Hayward said "that people who spoke in tbivSquare had actually dared to attack-tho Christian religion.” His object- apparently is to prevent criticism of the Christian religion by anyone who is disposed A-o mako it. The Christian religion will be in a’parlous condition when it can only stand bv the suppression of discussion. I think the ministers on the deputation would admit tliat. If Voltaire, Thomas Paine, Bradlaugh. Ingorsoll,- Darwin, Spencer or Russel Wallace could bo placed in the Square to give tlicir virvs about orthodox Christianity Councillor Hayward would suppress them ! What is that but an attack on freedom of speech? Councillor Hayward lacks humour. Mr Sorensen believes in free speech, but reckons it fvlicense” that “ men like himself ” should;he blackguarded. T agree that •it is futile to blackguard Mr Sorensen. His trouble is an extreme sensitiveness. Trenchant - criticism he regards os blackguardism',' So he yearns for immunity from all criticisms which .refuse to regard him as the limit of popular aspiration as far as municipal' representation goes. Free speech with Mr Sorensen sacrosanet! How comic 1 His besetting sin is vanity.

May T congratulate -the ministers who approached thq-Council? I wish I Had been with them. It- is ’"rksome to be governed by a handful of editors and a- few crustaceans on the City Council.—l am, etc.-. . .TAMES THORN. Tiraaru. February IS.