FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20230, 26 June 1937, Page 9

FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —When anyone writes, or says, that he stands for freedom of speech It Is always with the reservation that such speech Is neither libellous nor seditious. Now, as the Communists consider that existing societies and Governments should be overthrown by force, and all opponents of Communism ‘‘liquidated” by machine guns, it generally happen/, that Communist speech Is seditious. All that I have heard has been so, either directly or by Implication. But if a supporter of Communism gives a lecture explaining and advocating Communism as a form of sooiety, refraining from the advooacy of force and terror, then he has as much right to speak as anyone else. It is evident that Communism has to be academically disoussed in our universities as part of the economics oourse. When I was a student “Das Capital” was a book reoommended to us for study. Ido not know, of oourse, whether it is still on the list. As regards the Minister’s ukase against communistic lectures tn public work* camps, I doubt very much whether he has any legal power to prevent them. It would take a test case to settle that. The lectures should be allowed and, If sedition Is preached, the speakers brought to book. To forbid the discussion of •Communism academically, regardless of the character of the discussion, is an act of tyranny and indefensible. It Is another example of the present Government’s -scorn of personal liberty and an objeot lesson for all those who desire the retention and continuance of our ancient liberties, including that of free speech.—l am, eto., A. WARBURTON. Ngaruawaha. June 24.