FREE SPEECH.

Southland Times, Issue 25315, 19 June 1935, Page 3

FREE SPEECH.

To the Editor.

Sir, —I have been reading all the controversy over this free speech and I must say that I am very surprised at any councillors of such a fine city as Invercargill being in opposition to those who control the peace of such a city. Was it not sufficient for all the councillors when the police reported that they thought the speech would not be for the welfare of the peace of the city? Who pray do we look to for the peace of our cities and even the country ? Why, the police of course, for they are our protectors and friends, who we should all respect and trust. Well, Sir, will you kindly allow me permission as a British subject who is quite content to remain under the Union Jack, to congratulate Councillor H. Ritchie and the worthy Mayor for the stand they took against such odds, and may I ask those who are not satisfied to serve under his Majesty’s flag, do they think that they would be as well off under any other flag? Then why listen to such speeches? Enclosed are two cuttings from my sister,' cut from the Daily Telegraph; it might make some of your correspondents feel a little ashamed of themselves, and say, “I for one, will remain a British subject.” —I am, etc., DEVON BORN. [One paragraph relates to Mr Walter Citrine’s statement that German Nazi agents were watching the headquarters of the British Trade’s Union, because of the Union’s efforts to help German refugees and to retain Communism with colleagues in Germany. The other is General Goering’s declaration that Germany is responsible only to Hitler and will take no notice of foreign opinion.—Ed. S.T.]