MR MACFARLANE AND THE BUSINESS GROUP

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22515, 24 September 1938, Page 24

MR MACFARLANE AND THE BUSINESS GROUP

TO TBB BDITOm OF TH* PBF.SS. ' Sir,—My attention has been drawn to a letter appearing in your paper today signed by C. Roy Harris, a letter which was given pride of place in your- columns. " ’ In the first instance, Mr Hams says that Professor Algie does not play upon the emotions. This statement is rather remarkable, because I have heard many expressions of opinion that this is exactly what the learned Professor does do. Certainly nobody would accuse him of appealing to inRegarding the political duster, I have heard it referred to as the political dust-bin, jn some quarters. Apparently these political advertisements are samples of the high standard of intelligence of the National Businessmen’s Group. I have met many businessmen residing in Christchurch North electorate who do not subscribe to the policy of reaction that this group subscribes to. They assure me of their whole-hearted support in the forthcoming election.' Allow me. for Mr Harris’s benefit, to repeat my statement made at St. Albans, that the advertisement referred to was an insult to the thousands of members of the Labour Party in New Zealand. Our membership includes clergymen and lay preachers and people of all denominations. This advertisement is a deliberate attempt to Infer that the Labour Party is out to destroy religion. If that is not so, will Mr Harris tell us exactly what mean-1

ing the advertisement was intended to convey? I am aware that I am not haranguing a lot of halfwits when addressing the 'electors of Christchurch North. Political interest in Labour in Christchurch North is rapidly increasing, as is shown bv the increase of practically 1700 votes at the last election. There is little doubt that this will be materially increased at the next election. I am very pleased that I have got under the skin of Mr Harris and members of the National Businessmen’s Group. I fully intended every word of my criticism of the tactics being adopted by the National Party in New Zealand. —Yours, etc., R. M. MACFAKLANE. September 23, 1938.