A DUEL IN JOKES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1736, 29 April 1913, Page 7

A DUEL IN JOKES.

MINISTER AND NEWSPAPER, By Telegraph.—Press Association—Copyiiffht Sydney, April 28. Mr. Hughes, Federal Attorney-General, referring to the incident in which the Melbourne "Argus" refused to publish political statements by liim because he had omitted to sign his name to them, said: "It was a really good joke, but the "Argus' must not think it has a monopoly in jocular matters of this kind. To show how I appreciate a genuine joke, and recognise tho responsibilities of my office, I have taken steps to put the Act into operation against the 'Argus,' for, ou the same day and in (he same issue, publishing unsigned articles commenting oil electoral matter. On the whole, my joke seems belter than its own."

Mr. Hughes, who was a champion of the recently-passed legislation providing that political articles during an election campaign must be signed, recently sent a couple of fcintements.to the "Argus" commenting on utterances of tho Leader of the Opposition. Tlio "Argus," in mentioning that it had received them, said:— "Mr. Hughes omitted to append his true name and address, as required by tho Electoral Act, now in operation. For this, a pari from other reasons, the comments cannot be published." The paper then proceeded to quote the Act for tho Attorney-General's enlightenment.