THE RATIONALIST VIEW

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23574, 7 February 1940, Page 15

THE RATIONALIST VIEW

Sir, —As our delegate at the City Council discussion on freo speech was not allowed voice, to prevent misconception as to our place in the deputation, please let me state where we stand in tiiis agitation. The Nationalist Association is creedless and non-political. We have within our membership variations of political thought from right to left and from deist to agnostic in philosophy, but all believing that unfettered liberty of thought offers the best path to progress and that reason waits upon truth. If Fascists, Communists, Pacifists or any other "ists" have any constructive advantages to offer to humanity let us hear what they have to say and protect them whilst they speak. I cannot think that the great body of our soldiers going overseas to fight for freedom desire to lessen their own liberties here. The few who endeavour to upset street meetings suffer from an excess of spirits and youthful devilment rather than a desire to destroy free speech. Surely those of us who have reached adulthood should be able to listen to all expressions of opinion with tolerance irrespective of whether we disagree with them or not and then make up our own minds as to which point of view appeals to us most. After all we are not compelled to believe any particular political ideology. Henry J. Hayward. President, Nationalist Association and Sunday Freedom League.