13 JUNE 1970, Page 34

Liberty and the new intolerance

Sir: Is it 'always a sound rule for governments, as for private people, not to yield to threats'? (30 May) Yes, certainly, if they are being pressed to do evil.

But is the rule equally sound if they are

being pressed to do what is not evil? if -anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles'.

Perhaps it depends on what your long term goal is.

W. E. Prickett

P.O. Box 64, Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa