A BANNED BOOK

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18903, 24 March 1933, Page 7

A BANNED BOOK

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Last Monday afternoon several people wished to use Webster’s Dictionary in the Public Library, but were not allowed to do so. One lady had come in from the country. If this matter is discussed openly (with your kind permission) we who enjoy “ crosswords ” will feel more satisOed.—l am, etc., KIND OF BIRD. London Street, March 22.

IS IT A NEW DESPOTISM? (To the Editor.) Sir, —At last Dr. Begg has divulged his scheme in the name of “ The New Zealand Legion.” The foundation is a nebulous idea of controlling both the Government and all political parties. He is asking the people .to accept this wonderful mirage till he has gathered thousands together by some suggestive hypnosis. He will then unfold to their astonished ears a “ system of Government best suited for New Zealand,” according to his own published statement. What system does lie suggest? Has he the experience -to divine suoh a system? Is it a “ White Guard,” a “ Nazis ” or a “ Fascisti ” system? Or it is a constitutional form of democratic Government which British people have, throughout long experience, recognised as suitable to their social and political conscience? With no policy constructive or theoretic, with nothing to offer to support his Imaginary scheme, he asks the people of New Zealand to stretch their credulity to -the furtherest degree. He has the temerity to assert his organisation will pick from the three parties (which three) in the House the best men, he and his chosen disciples, to their particular way of thinking, shall select, to represent us. This sounds very much like a new 'despotism. .Are the polls and democracy to be under the thumb of this would-be dictatorship? The world is having a surfeit of these organisations. Some, in Latin countries, have proved a success, others with admixtures of Slavonic and Mongols have succeeded, in part, materially, but at the cost of all liberty of the subject.

No, Dr. Begg, Britishers as a whole are fond of constitutionalism. We do not desire the inflammable Continental ideas introduced into this country with what risually follows “ the required soapegoat”: a religious denomination of a stray Jew. We have enougli isms in fair New Zealand already. New Zealand, beware I A wise man once said: “The price of liberty is eternal vigilance." If my diagnosis is correct this new-born babe should have its umbilical cord severed before it takes the Arst breath of life and lets loose unsocial forces that even Dr. Begg will be astonished at.—l am, etc.,

A. HALL SKELTON Auckland, March 22, 1933.