Freedom of Speech

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 181, 31 July 1934, Page 7

Freedom of Speech

NEW BILL DENOUNCED. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 30. ‘"‘Those who seek to deny or to restrict unreasonably the right of frea speech are on the side of disorder. They are fomenting rebellion. By trying to stop agitation which is carried on openly and lawfully they are driving it underground,’ ’ said Mr. H. D. Dickinson at a large meeting held last night to protest against the imprisonment of men who took part in a “free speech” demonstration in a street on July 20. The meeting was organised by the Labour Defence League, and the audience included several detectives and constables.

Mr. Dickinson, who is an exchange lecturer in economics at Auckland University College, said the,.right to hold open-air mectipgs„foi:.,propaganda purposes was an. essential part of tho right of free speech as conceded in British communities. The relegation of public meetings to hole and corner places ■was in effect a denial of tho right of free speech. Under recent legislation any form of criticism of the Now Zealand Government by a civil servant, and any advocacy of fundamental change in the Constitution, might bo held to be seditious. That law had put men all over the Dominion who held views opposed to those of the party, in power in terror for their positions. The proposed amendment to the Police Offences Act, if passed, would render impossible any discussion of political developments. “Freedom of speech is the only guarantee for peaceful solution of tho social problems which confront the people of this country,” said Mr. Dickinson. “Conditions aro not improved by passing Bills to prevent people from speaking or agitating against conditions which need improvement.”