FREEDOM OF SPEECH

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8559, 23 October 1913, Page 6

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

The squatters’ organ is moved to a paroxysm of hysterical anger in conitemplation of the enthusiastic Liberal Igatherings that have taken place at Palmerston, Stratford and Hawera, though it is scrupulously careful not to report the addresses in its columns. iAYe are not surprised at the wrath of lour contemporary. But when it questions the right of Messrs Thomson, Tsitt, Atmore, Smith, and Russell to iaddress these gatherings, and makes a personal attack upon them in its characteristically l malignant fashion, we are impelled to amazement. ■ Has it come to this in New Zealand that the right to freedom of speech is to he challenged by the party of land monopoly? If the Government is immaculate. and has nothing to fear from public opinion, why is it so susceptible *to criticism ? The people have heard much of the superior intentions and performances of the Government.- AVhy should they not be shown the other side of the picture ? The complaint is made by the squatters’ organ that these members are neglecting their Parliamentary duties, though, with singular inconsistency, the journal of land monopoly proceeds to add that they “are not likely to be missed” from the House. AVell, if they can be so easily spared, why should they not travel to Palmerston and Stratford and Hawera and enlighten the public mind concerning what is going on in AVellington P Their mission is certainly a disinterested one, for the public good, because the Liberal cause is not bolstered (to quote the immortal words of the candid Bell) with “money, more money, and still more money.” and cannot afford to send forth an army of paid organisers. If the democratic side of the question is to be plainly put before the people, it must bo by members who are prepared to undertake this work at their own expense, and 'in undertaking it the Liberal gentlemen we have named deserve credit and not abuse. Besides, 'the squatters’ organ surely forgets that its own Ministers, who are now under criticism, spent the time for which they were handsomely paid in the recess attending a round of banqueting festivities, numbering seventy odd, to the neglect of the public business and for the glorification of themselves and the party of high Toryism. Tile consequence of that orgy of junketing mid political dissipation is apparent now in the fact that the Government is not prepared with its policy measures, and Mr Massey has not even time to write his naval proposals, in substitution for those of the Hon. Colonel Allen, which are supposed to have been conveniently pigeon-holed. The Tories and their squatters’ organ would deny these Libera! gentlemen the right to liberfy of speech, for the enlightenment of the people, but only a week or two ago one of the high priests of Toryism— Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, to wit—said at Tie “Reform” conference that, as soon os the session was over, the Government would start on an extensive election campaign, so as to meet the people in the remoter districts, and give them "an interest” in the “Reform” party. Now, these Liberal speakers who are being so shamefully abused are not engaged in an election campaign. But, thanks to their plain speaking. the people are eenainlv “taking a strong interest” in the “Reform” party.