Liberty of The Subject

Northern Advocate, 24 February 1940, Page 6

Liberty of The Subject

THE liberty of the subject is a precious possession, which should be protected to the fullest extent. Liberty, however, does not signify license, and it is only by limitation of the liberty of individuals that the liberty of a community may be maintained. .Every sensible person realises this, and, to the best of his ability, assists the authorities in the carrying out of the law. He who fails to do this may expect sooner or later to come in conflict with the law, as well as British opinion, and to receive punishment which receives the approbation of all law-abiding citizens. The existence of war conditions renders necessary curtailment of personal liberty which would probably not be tolerated in time of peace. This fact was stressed during the week when news was received that an English farmer was fined £25, with £lO costs, for failing to plough his land in accordance with instructions from the county war agriculture committee. As though this were not sufficient, the farmer was warned by the court that the committee had power to confiscate his farm for cultivation purposes if he continued to disobey the committee’s instructions. There will be general approval of the punishment inflicted on the farmer, who was prepared to allow his neighbours to do what he himself should also have done. The contention made by many people that they can do what they like with their own property is a delusion, especially in wartime, when liberty to do as one wishes with property might be inimical to the safety and well-being of the State. It is agreed that the production of foodstuffs is almost as important as the provision of munitions of war, and farmers, as a consequnce, have devolving upon them a responsibility, from which they cannot divest themselves, to assist to the utmost of their ability all movements calculated to increase primary production.