Keeping The Peace In London

Southland Times, Issue 23307, 17 September 1937, Page 6

Keeping The Peace In London

A reminder of the continued existence and activity of the British Union of Fascists under the leadership of Sir Oswald Mosley was provided by a British Official Wireless message printed yesterday. “The ban on political marches in specified areas of London,” it stated, “which was due to expire last night (that is, on September 13) has been imposed again for a further three months.” According to the provisions of the Public Order Bill which came into force at the end of last year the Home Secretary is able to ban all political processions in London for a maximum period of three months, and the term now beginning is therefore the fourth since the Act was passed. It was stipulated further that the Home Secretary must receive a recommendation from the chief officer of police that the ban is desirable, based on his opinion that there is a likelihood of public disorder. This was one of the amendments proposed

while the original draft of the Bill was in Committee, and it was framed so that the chief police officer’s decision can be challenged, in the courts, where he can be called upon to prove that the order is reasonable. These and similar measures were taken to safeguard those democratic rights and liberties which are paradoxically in danger when steps have to be taken to prevent their abuse by an irresponsible minority. The Public Order Bill in its early form had ominous possibilities which were quickly recognized and criticized; but in its amended and final form it is one of the sanest enactments of recent times. No reasonable person is likely to deny that it had become necessary as a check on the policy of deliberate provocation adopted by the British Fascists. Ugly incidents of the kind that were becoming all too frequent in London streets a year ago are repugnant to the English temperament; but although the average citizen can be trusted to turn his back on political rowdiness it is not safe to rely exclusively on this fundamental sanity. World unrest introduces a strain into modern life, and the fascist method succeeds wherever the victims of its noisy propaganda can be stirred into protest and retaliation. A sustained attack on any single section of the people can degenerate into terrorism. The fascist campaign against the East End Jews was dangerous because it was organized, and because the uniforms and discipline of Sir Oswald Mosley’s hired bullies, together with the propaganda that influences credulous minds, were drawing together the subversive elements that follow naturally in the wake of disturbance. It was forcing the left-wing groups to organize themselves and to prepare counter demonstrations, and the series of clashes that followed was bound to bring nearer an ultimate “show down” of the kind that ••has been used ,in other countries as a means of gaining power. Such aims may seem fantastic in Britain; but the troubles of last year proved that they were being seriously followed. Since the passing of the Public Order Bill there have been no further disturbances, a fact which could lead to interesting considerations on the emotional appeal of uniforms and banners and massed gatherings. A further influence for civic calm has been the improvement in trade and industry; but the Home Secretary has been prudent to impose a further ban on processions. Even if it is true —as was confidently asserted by persons in authority—that the British Fascists, and other organizations with a subversive tendency have been subsidized from foreign sources, it is going to be hard for them to gain any wide following now that they have been deprived of the right to wear uniforms and to do their banner-waving in the streets. The continued enforcement of these prohibitions is both wise and necessary.