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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 36, Number 23. 23rd September 1973

Censorship

Censorship

Dear Sirs,

In Salient — Number 22, September 12, the article — "ANZUS — a Pact with the Devil", stated that during the 1951 Waterfront Lockout; "....the press, refused to print anything critical . of the Government." That was not the case. The National Party Government of Holland acting "in council" — that is a meeting solely of cabinet ministers — passed a decree (which the government was able to do as a state of emergency (sic) had been declared) which censored the Press. It was illegal to publish articles either criticising the government's actions or sympathetic to the strikers. A penalty of imprisonment was imposed on anyone who printed or distributed notices advertising meetings of the strikers or any other action the watersiders projected — marches etc.

The same censorship exists today. This time not under the protection of government decree but by more 'subtle' means. For example police harassment of "Ferret" and "Itch" plus Mr Brian McClellard's attempts to stifle "Cock" with criminal libel charges.

Big Brother is watching you.