.A new regulation under the Defence of the Realm Act
makes it illegal to print or publish any leaflet relating to the present war or to the making of peace unless its contents have been passed by the .Press Bureau. Strong objection has been taken to this order in the House of Commons, and the Liberal leaders have, it is under. stood, proposed an alternative method of dealing with leaflets, many of which are admittedly seditious. Every leaflet, according to this proposal, should have the names of the author and the printer, and a copy should be deposited at the Press Bureau for inspection. It would then be open to the Home Office to prosecute those oon- cerned in issuing any dangerous leaflets, and the Praia Bureau would not have to undertake a political censorship such as M. Clemeneeau has just abolished in France. This alternative plan is more in accordance with Constitutional practice. The Magis- trates are far better qualified than the Press Bureau to deal with seditious publications, and they enjoy public confidence.
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