A SPECTATOR 'S NOTEBOOK
0 journalist can feel happy about the suppression of any newspaper, however repugnant he may personally find its ews. Freedom of the Press is one of the ideals we are defending this war. But it is eternally true that liberty does not mean cence, though opinions may differ widely as to where the ansition comes in a particular case. In the case of the Daily orker, having more than once expressed some surprise that e paper was tolerated so long, I cannot affect surprise—or dignation—that it is being tolerated no longer. Far more rastic measures were taken long since against Fascists. In only ne respect do I question the full wisdom of Mr. Morrison's lion. It was stated in Tuesday's issue of the Daily Worker that ess the paper obtained £4,000 by the end of the month— °wards which £876 4$. 41-d. had so far been received—bills ould not be paid and the paper's survival would be doubtful. t might have been as well to wait and see whether death by anition would relieve the authorities of the necessity of assing summary sentence. No unprejudiced reader of the aily Worker could fail to see in it an instrument not of pposidon to or criticism of the Government—that, within easonable limits, is perfectly legitimate and may often be lutary—but of national disintegration. Discontent every- here is assiduously exploited, suspiciously frequent attention mg paid to aircraft-factories, and the whole influence of the aper is obviously detrimental to the national 'war-effort.
r. Morrison can certainly not be accused of intolerance. A eople's Convention, organised by that section of society for hich the Daily Worker stood, was held in London without let r hindrance on Sunday week, though the Labour Party has nce sat in judgement on certain of its members who attended. he Daily Herald, alone of London dailies, reported the sup- ression of the Daily Worker without a word of editorial omment.
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