FASCIST activity IN BRITAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 302, 22 December 1945, Page 5

FASCIS T activity IN BRITAIN

CLOSE WATCH BEING KEPT Recd. 6 p.m. London, Dec. 20 An indication that he is considering whether wider legal powers should be obtained to deal with the re urgence of Fascis. activity in Britain was given by the Home Secretary, Mr. Chute.- Ede, in the House oi Commons to-day.

Replying to a long series of questions about the activities of bir Oswald Mosley and his supporter . Mr Ede said the conditions under when Mosley was released from de ention ceased to have effect when Defence Regulation 18 was revoked. The Government was aware of all the risks involved in a revival of Fasci t activity and was keeping a close watch for any manifestations of it. He was not prepared to announce wha. £teps would be taken if the menace became pronounced, but he had no intention that democracy should be overthrown by truculent minorities. The speciai bianeh of Scotland Yard would not exceed i s present powe.s, but he did want to blink tho fact that it might be nece sary to arm the Home Secretary with greater powers in luuie. Mr. Ede at the same time appealed to members of the Commons to exeicise a sanse of proportion, and reminded them that hey were membeis <>L a very ancient democracy, with a great sense of humour. They should not flatter these people by making them appear more menacing than they were.

Gne of ihe questioners, Mr. T. Levy <Con .) asked whether the Minister would consider appointing a small legal commission to advise on means of protecting the country, on the batis that it was no sensible in the name of freedom to allow men to destroy freedom.