OFFENSIVE LITERATURE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17429, 25 September 1918, Page 3

OFFENSIVE LITERATURE

GOVERNMENTS ACTION EXPLAINED

(Pan Uwitxd Pbebs Assooiatioh.) WELLINGTON, September 21. In a general statement to-day Sir James Allen said there was so much misrepresentation regarding the Government's action in stopping the sale or circulation of literature likely to create hostility or illwill between different classes and endanger public safety that it was desirable to state the position officially. In doing so ho desired to emphasiso the fact that in tho perilous times wo wcro now enduring it was of the utmost importance that sectarian strife should not bo encouraged, and that wo should unitedly strive to end the war and secure a lasting peace. It wus tho duty of the Government to provent during- tho war the circulation of matter so offensive in language, allegations, or insinuations as to give rise to justifiable resentment by any cluss of tho.;community. It was considered that literature attacking any religious doctrine or principle was only objectionable if the languago used was outrageous in its violence. Again, tho attribution to a religious sect of objects distinct from tho advancement of religion was not in itself sufficient to justify intervention by the Government, but the attribution of habitual immorality to elapses of pevrsons who had taken the vow of celibacy was beyond tho line of permissible controversy during the war. Members of one of such classes could not defend themselves, and the public peace and safety would be endangered if tho circulation of such matter were permitted.