"Spike" Articles.

Dear "Smad,"

I wish to make clear my position with regard to articles by "Perseus" and "X.Y.Z." in the last issue of "Spike."

These articles were accepted in pursuance of a policy of endeavouring to present both sides of the questions dealt with in the magazine. Though not a member of the S.C.M. or the Evangelical Union, I went out of my way to invite their contributions: and in the same spirit, though not a Communist, I asked students of communistic leanings to present their points of view.

With the methods of Communism I personally do not agree. What is more, I went to the length of an article attacking communist conceptions in the "Spike" of 1932, and there expressed views which I still hold. But I considered this no reason for not publishing articles devoted to their views, and I am convinced that this was a fair interpretation of the right to free expression of opinion.

That the articles can be considered as transgressing the law of sedition did not occur to me at the time of publication, and the articles were published in all good faith. Furthermore, I wish to point out that the action of the Executive in recommending that the offending portions be blocked out was taken with my strong approval.

I should add that both these articles came in at the very last moment, and for this reason did not come before the notice of the sub-editors at our ordinary meetings, and were published without their knowledge.

I. D. Campbell.