2 APRIL 1927, Page 3

The campaign was rendered infamous by the organized suppression of

free speech by the supporters of the Labour candidate. We are sure that the Labour Party, as such, disapproves of this hooliganism, but it does not take any official action to stop it. Some newspapers have hysterically exclaimed that never before have such persistent attempts been made to thwart the popular will. They may be advised to read some of the records of elections a hundred years ago. They might even re-read the Pickwick Papers. Nevertheless the political offences standing to the discredit of the educated people ,,f to-day are relatively worse than those of our grand- fathers. The chief consolation is that such conduct in the past brought its own cure and like causes will probably again have like effects.

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