3. Sir J. D. REESasked whether the Governor-General in Council possesses powers to restrain newspapers conducted by Christian missionaries from publishing matter offensive to Mahomedans; and, if so, why such powers are not exercised, so as to avoid the incidence upon private persons of the expense and trouble of legal proceedings?
§ Mr. FISHERUnder the Indian Press Act the local Government has the same powers over the whole Press. It is, of course, for the local Government to decide in any particular case whether the powers should be exercised, and I am sure that the House will agree that newspaper articles which tend to offend racial or religious susceptibilities cannot be too highly deprecated.