DEFENCE SCHEME AND PUBLIC CRITICISM.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 9 March 1914, Page 6

DEFENCE SCHEME AND PUBLIC CRITICISM.

(To the Editor.)

Sir. —Under your title of "Should Officers be allowed- the vigiit ot Public Criticism?" the letter of' Captain YV. Pinwell clearly demonstrates how much the citizens of New Zealand are "muzzled" by the present" Act. When one realises how completely we are under military rule, and what the underlying purpose of the Defence' Act really is, the people will arise and wipe the mo:< cruel • and. tyrannical . law ever foisted-on a libertyloving -people, completely out of existence. The llev. - Lambert has resigned from the Defence Forces, but still he is "muzzled," because every male inhabitant of New Zealand between the ages of 14 and'ss come under the present Act. Therefore ci*itici=m of the scheme and its administration is left to the-"medical-ly unfit, women, and old men." The above rev. gentleman protests ' against the military authorities' attempt to rob him of "his right-'of free speech because Ke is a .chaplain in the force. Now, Sir. why should he have the Tight "to criticise the scheme whilst at the same time everyone between the ages of 14 and 55 are denied the the privilege. Also I am surprised. St his urging the people of New Zealand to break the law by writing to the Press. I am. etc.. ANTI-HUMBUG. .

(The letter ; i-5 referred to in another column. J •