TO CHECK SEDITION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7047, 8 February 1910, Page 7

TO CHECK SEDITION

NEW PRESS BILL IMPORTANT MEASURE SUBMITTED IN INDIA. “A MURDEROUS CONSPIRACY.” By Telegraph— Press Association—Copyright. CALCUTTA, February 6. Sir Herbert Risley, Home Secretary to the Indian Government, has submitted to the Viceroy’s Council a Press Bill enabling the local Governments without prosecutions to suppress newspapers which are mischievous, though not .technically seditious. In introducing tho measure, the Home Secretary gave a startling picture with details of the newspapers’ anti-British propaganda among the youth from whom the great body of civil servants of India was drawn, and the manner in which peaceful villages were invaded by preachers of political murder and sedition. “We aro,” he declared, “confronted by a murderous conspiracy. Newspapers started must make a deposit of £333. Existing journals will bo exempt, unless they offend. There will be no censorships, but 'Customs and postal authorities will be entitled,, to search in connection with suspected matter, and the deposit will be forfeited on a repetition of 1 tbo olfenoo, unless an appeal to tho High Court is successful.”

WHAT THE PAPERS SAT STRONG 'CONDEMNATION OF GOVERNMENT ACTION. PRAISE AND BLAME. The “Allahabad Pioneer” says Sir Herbert Risley’s indictment is tho strongest possible condemnation of a Government which has allowed the mischief of corruption of tho publio mind to roach the state described in tho Bill. Tho native paper “Hindu,” published at Madras, declares that the innovation now sought by tho Bill of executive interference in the discharge of the legitimate functions of the press is a gross infringement of tho rights of the people. Anglo-Indian newspapers warmly support the Bill, and ‘ deny that a single bona fide liberty will be assailed.