SEDITIOUS INDIA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9135, 7 February 1910, Page 5

SEDITIOUS INDIA.

DRASTIC PRESS BILL,

TO COPE WITH THE NATIVE NEWSPAPERS. ■

(By Electric Telegeafh—Copyright.) (Per Press Association.) Received February 7, 8.15 a.m. LONDON, Feb. 6. Mr H. H. Risley, Home Secretary to the Government of India, in submitting to the Viceroy's Council a Press Bill enabling the local governments, without prosecutions,' to suppress newspapers which are mischievous though not technically seditious, gave a startling picture of the native newspapers' antiBritish propaganda among the youth from whom the great body of the civil servants of India 'were drawn, and the manner in which ; peaceful villages were invaded by preachers of "political murders and sedition. He added: "We are confronted by a murderous conspiracy." Under the Bill newspapers started hereafter must make a deposit of £333 | as a guarantee that they will not publish seditious, matter. Existing journals are exempt. unless they offend. There will be no censorship, bnt the customs arid postal authorities are entitled to make a search for suspected matter. The deposit is forfeited on a repetition of the' offence unless an appeal to the High Court is successful. The Chronicle urges that care should be taken in the definition of offences like attempts to excite racial, class and religious animosity and hatred. It adds: Mr Risley's account of the widespread anarchical propaganda is very striking. When incendiary articles are part and parcel of murderous acts it is, as Viscount Morley said, moonshine to talk heroics about the freedom of the press. The Daily News says no Indian editor will be able to print a single adverse comment upon the administration of the Government, its policy, or officials' actions, and if the revolution is driven underground the peril will be-incalcul-able.

CALCUTTA,. Feb. 6. The newspaper Pioneer, published at Allahabad, says Mr Risley's indictment is the strongest possible condemnation of the Government, which has allowed the corruption of the public mind to reach the state described in the Bill. MADRAS. Feb. 6. The native paper Hindu declares the innovation now sought is an interference by the Executive in the discharge of the press's legitimate function. The Bill is a "gross infringment of tho rights of the people. • The Anglo-Indian -newspapers warmly support the Bill and deny that a single bona tide liberty is assailed.