PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.
The Times. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1919. FREEDOM OF UTTERANCE
"We nothing extenuate, nor ut down auaht in malice."
Under stress of political partisanship, there is a tendency to deny opponents the right of free speech. No doubt it is very provoking to hear an opponent dealing out doctrines that are anathema to one's own views, but nevertheless this is something which cuts both ways. Freedom of utterance is one of the fundamental rights of a free people. Without it the national and individual conscience is stifled, which is the forerunner to the loss of that liberty which is more precious than life itself, Of course, if a speaker Is talking obviously arrant nonsense, indulging in gross disloyalties, or speaking at length when he is not the person the people came to hear at all, then humau nature must shew its limits of endurance. Hut provided that a speaker keeps somewhere within bounds of reason and decency he is entitled to a fair hearing, and those who refuse him this elementary justice brand themselves as people of low culture and mean spirit.
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Bibliographic details
Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 488, 9 December 1919, Page 2
Word Count
187
PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. The Times. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1919. FREEDOM OF UTTERANCE
Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 488, 9 December 1919, Page 2
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