Academic Freedom (Press, 27 May 1950)

In a letter to the editor published on 27 May 1950, Godfrey Wilson expresses concerns about the implications of police involvement in public meetings, particularly in response to comments made by C. M. Clark and Professor Percival. Wilson critiques Clark for labelling the situation as a “witch-hunt” and “fascism” while accusing Percival of focusing too narrowly on legalities. He urges staff, students, and the public to look beyond these perspectives, highlighting the issue at stake. Wilson points out that the absence of comment from the Minister of Police on a prior complaint indicates that the presence of a senior-detective at the meeting had ulterior motives beyond mere clarification of thoughts on freedom. He stresses that while police may attend public gatherings and students must adhere to laws, policemen out of uniform act as secret agents, which raises concerns about their intentions and the broader implications for society. He likens these covert roles to those seen in authoritarian regimes, suggesting that the presence of such agents signifies a troubling societal condition. Wilson characterises this condition as one of political unconsciousness, warning that uncritical acceptance of state actions could threaten individual freedoms, potentially relegating such freedoms to mere theoretical discussions devoid of real-world application. His letter concludes with a call for vigilance and critical engagement with state authority to preserve genuine freedom.

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