§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked the Undersecretary for India whether he is aware that the "Gujarati," a bi-lingual weekly paper published in Bombay, has had to find security in 2,000 rupees under the Press Act; what convictions have been obtained against this paper or its publisher, proprietor, or editor; what warning had been sent to them; and what were the reasons which led to the security being demanded?
§ Mr. MONTAGUSecurity was demanded from and was furnished by the printer and publisher of the "Gujarati" on account of an article which infringed Section 4 (1) of the Act. No warning was given. The Government of India's Orders 1944 regarding the desirability of giving warning were not issued until a later date.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIECan the Under-Secretary say what were the terms of the article in regard to which this gentleman was asked to find security for 2,000 rupees.
§ Mr. MONTAGUI should not like to quote the article off-hand. The hon. Member is aware of the nature of the article, which comes under Section 4 (1) of the Press Act. I will consider the matter of laying it on the Table.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked the Under-Secretary for India whether he is aware that the "Phœnix," an old-established paper published in Karachi, has had to deposit 1,000 rupees as security under the Press Act; what convictions have been obtained against this paper or its publisher, proprietor, or editor; what warning had been sent to them; and what were the reasons which led to the security being demanded; whether the "Sind Gazette," an old-established Anglo-Indian paper published in Karachi, has had to deposit 1,000 rupees as security under the Press Act; what convictions have been obtained against this paper or its publisher, proprietors, or editor; what warning had been sent to them; and what were the reasons which led to the security being demanded; and whether the "Karachi Argus," an English weekly paper, published at Karachi, has received an intimation that security is required to be deposited under the Press Act; what convictions have been obtained against this paper, its publisher, proprietor, or editor; what warning had been sent to them; and what were the reasons which led to the security being demanded?
§ Mr. MONTAGUSecurity was taken from the "Sind Gazette," the "Karachi Argus," and the "Phœnix "when declarations were made by their printers and publishers under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, the object of the magistrate being to secure equal treatment to all classes of newspapers. His Order was, however, inconsistent with the instructions issued on the subject by the Government of India and the Government of Bombay, which did not reach him till after it had been passed. On receiving, intimation of the Order, the Bombay Government telegraphed instructions to the magistrate to reconsider it. This was done, and the security deposits were refunded.