FREEDOM OF THE PEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19798, 19 November 1927, Page 20

FREEDOM OF THE PEN.

AN INTERESTING ADDRESS.

" The Freedom of the Pen," was the subject, of an interesting address by Mr. L. P. Leary afc a meeting of the League of Penwomen yesterday afternoon. The president, Mrs. M. Stuart Boyd, presided. The light touches of humour with which Sir, Leary punctuated his remarks were much appreciated by the members, and at the conclusion of hi 3 address questions on various matters connected with writing were answered •by him. The only real limit to one's writing and thinking, said Mr Leary, was the limit of one's own mental capabilities. Liberties in writing and thinking had really been just recently attained, and at considerable sacrifice. The cause of the curtailment of most of the restrictions placed on writing in the early days was the invention of the printing press, as it became impossible for tlio authorities to trace the source of all the books and pamphlets which were then printed. Mr. Leary traced the liberties and restrictions placed on writing and thinking right through the ages, starting from the Greek's and Romans and concluding with the restrictions of the present daw, which was chiefly the law of libel, civil and criminal. So long a3 this law was not infringed people were allowed to write and think as they pleased.