RIGHT TO MEET

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21416, 9 May 1941, Page 8

RIGHT TO MEET

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES RESTRICTIONS RELAXED STRICT CONDITIONS (By Te:ejrapG.—-rres3 Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday Authority for Jehovah’s Witnesses to meet for Bible study, prayer or worship under certain prescribed conditions is contained in a notice published in the Gazette Issued today. This organisation, or alternatively those known as Witnesses of Jehovah, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society -and the International Bible Students’ Association, were declared subversive organisations on October 21, 1940. Regulations were also gazetted today providing that an organisation declared to be subversive may be permitted by the Attorney-General to carry on such of its activities as do not have a subversive tendency, and are not injurious to public safety. The Attorney-General, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, said representations had been made to the Government from time to time that in suppressing all activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses the Government was interfering v/ith the right to meet for worship, prayer and Bible study. Needless to say, the Government never had any intention of restricting these rights if exercised without detriment to the community. Adequate Security As it had been represented to the Government that there were such innocent activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses that could not be construed as subversive, provision had been made for their exercise under certain strict conditions which formed adequate security against mischief. The regulations provide that Jehovah’s Witnesses shall not be considered a subversive organisation if they meet for study of the Bible, prayer or worship and for no other purpose, and if the meeting is held or proposed to be held within a building or tent. No public notice of a meeting or proposed meeting is to be given except such as may be permitted by a constable, and no persons are to be present other than members or former members of any of the said organisations.