BANNED LITERATURE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10085, 25 September 1918, Page 2

BANNED LITERATURE

' GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE. Yesterday the Acting-Prime Minister (Sir James Allen) made the following statement;—■ There is so much misrepresentation with regard to tho Government’s action in stopping the sale of circulation Of literature likely to create hostility Or ill-will between diffiefdht classes and endanger the public Safety; that it seems desirable to state the _ position officially. ; In doing so, 1 desire to emphasise the fact that 'in .the- perilous titneS we ftre now enduring it is of _ the ut-’ MOst imporancO that sectarian strife Should not be encouraged, and that wo should unitedly strive to end the war hnd'secure a lasttog pfeace. It is the duty of the Government to prevent, during the war, the circulation of matter So offensive in language, allegations Or insinuations as to giye rise to justifiable resentment by 1 any class Of the community. It is considered that literature attacking any religious doctrine of political •principle is only objectionable _if the language Used is outrageous in its violence. Again, the attribution to a religions sect of objects distinct from the advancement of religion is not of itself sufficient to justify intervention by the Government, ' But the attrlbuion of habitual immorality to classes of persons who have taken a vow of celibacy is beyond the line of permissible controversy during the war. Members of one such class cahnot defend themselves, and the public peace and safety, would he endangered if the circulation of such matter wore permitted.