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"In time of war," he said. "we must give up the individuality which is our pride and boast in peacetime. We must give up many of our comforts. much of our free. dom and even life itself it need be. But one of our most prized institu- tions has always been the right of public assembly. and in considering this bill we must be carelul that we if.o not suppress that individual gthought and criticism that is so inecessary to our welfare. It you 'prevent the functioning of demo- cratic thought, you are playing into the hands ot the subversive ele. ments in our community." While ten Government bills, framed to meet wartime emergen- cies. were sped through second reading and committee stage in the Legislature yesterday. after House rules had been suspended to spur their passage. an eleventh measure, dealing with public meetings and processions. encountered stilt op. position from two Liberal members and was held over for amendments suggested by A. W. Roebuck and David Croll. The bill, introduced by Attorney- General Gordon Conant. would make illegal the holding of public meetings in public places unless permits were obtained from munici. pal authorities. While members of the Legislature voiced approval of its principle. warm debate centred around its phrasing and its appli- cation. Mr. Roebuck. former Attorney- General. cautioned the House against allowing itself to be "tempted to set aside our bulwarks of freedom." In getting rid of Hitlerism abroad. he said. the Legislature should be sure that it did not develop Hitler. ism " home. Would Protect Thought. HOUSE WARNED i)f DEVELOPING M1iiRl91 HERE Referring to n kausrot the bill ttruling. a public place as "any puts lie park. garden. square. court. bridge, highway. road. alley or 983' sage." Mr. Roebuck said that the mgqning was not clear. "According to the literal applica- tion at that clause," he said, "lt my friend the Attorney-General and I have a talk in our garden we would have to ask General Draper for a permit first. There is nothing to show that 'publfe garden' is meant." Roebuck, Croll Caution Against Too Wide Curb Upon Public Meetings BILL TO BE ALTERED Mr. Croll pointed out that there was nothing in the bill to suggest local option and asked that the bill he revised to make this phase per- fectly clear. The Attorney-General concurred in his suggestion and the bill was held over In committee state until amendments could be drafted. 'This bill is not the monster it has been painted," he said. "it doesn't affect the right of public assembly in any way. The City at Toronto asked for it in the first place and it might be termed a sort of local option bill. It will only apply in the municipalities which want it. There are many who would make it more rigid than at present. Only today the Mayor of Toronto telephoned me and asked it I would be disposed to make it apply to Mas- sey Hall and other public buildings. That I was not in favor of doing." Inserts Ten "Puhues." Mr. Conant said he was willing to put the word "public" before each of the places referred to, and intro- duced an amendment inserting ten "pub1ies" In the defining clause. sethmbst. RI