23 AUGUST 1957, Page 7

WHAT WITH MR. NEHRU making strikes illegal and Dr. Nkrumah

deporting political opponents and journalists, and proceedings against the corre- spondent of the Daily Telegraph for contempt of court, civil liberties seem to have been taking a beating in Africa and Asia over the last weeks. Of course, these measures may be unavoidable. I do not pretend to know all the rights and wrongs of the matter, but it is a little saddening to see this strong-arm stuff in a newly formed State like Ghana—just about as saddening as it is to see a member of the British bar presiding over the revels. However, what interests me above all is that there has been no thunder on the Left about it. Not a word from Mr. Sydney Silverman, not a chirrup from Mr. Fenner Brockway, none of that high moral tone for which Mr. Toni Dri- berg is noted. The only honourable exception was that true radical Mr. Michael Foot, in Tri- bune. Can it be that some liberties are more civil than others? Now, if it had been General