WHO IS UNSPORTSMANLIKE?

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 125, 24 November 1930, Page 8

WHO IS UNSPORTSMANLIKE?

The secretary of llie Alliance of Labour complained last night that he "was attacked in an unsportsmanlike manner, not only from without the Labour movement, but from within it as well." As the attacks of which he complained "from without the Labour movement" were those of the Press, his allegation of unsportsmanlike conduct is levelled against the Press. Wherein the Press was unsportsmanlike he did not say. Instead he insinuated that such conduct was so usual that there was< no need to be specific. So far as the newspapers are concerned (he said) I have no real complaint to make. I expect them to attack me.- That is what they are there for. They represent the moneyed class and the employing class only, and on all occasions they will attack those who stand for the wage workers of New Zealand. This is in line with his statement in "The Post" of 14th' November: I congratulate my friend Mr. Fraser on his good fortune in being able to obtain such space in your widely circulated paper for Labour propaganda, for it is the first occasion that I can. recollect that political Labour has been allowed to state its case so fully. Mr. Fraser, who is at least as strong an advocate of the Labour cause as is Mr. Roberts, and is fairer in controversy, corrected this impression by showing that Mr. Roberts had three columns of our space in two days, and he added: In this connection it is only fair to state that, contrary to Mr. Eoberts 'a impression, "The Post" has always acted fairly and generously in the matter of space to the Labour Party. Now what are the facts? In nine issues of "The Post" Mr. Roberts hasbeen given seven columns to state his case. Our own references to the subject (either by editorial or footnote) have occupied barely one-fifth of the space. If Mr. Roberts cannot state his case in seven columns it is a poor case indeed. The fact is that he has been beaten, and he now seeks to excuse his defeat by unfounded complaints of unsportsmanlike treatment. Evidently his idea of sportsmanship is not satisfied by- giving him a fair chance in the ring. He wishes to see the ring deserted of opponents so that he may give an exhibition of shadow-sparring to a crowd of cheering onlookers.