THAT CHALLENGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1938, 11 February 1919, Page 3

THAT CHALLENGE.

(To the Editor.) Sir. —I trust that this time you will not delete portions of ray letter, as it is hardly fair to withdraw part of my charge and allow “International” to fire with a full one. I am very pleased “International” lias accepted my eh allenge, for now wc will soon know who the very admirable gentleman is. He says: “1 hope Mr McMurray understands, for there is no drawing hack now.” Let him speak for himself, for he need not worry about me. I would like to point out to him that a Britisher does not treat an obligation as a, “mere scrap of paper"; also that “an Englishman’s word is Ids bund.” It is absolutely useless for “International,” in bis characteristic domineering manner, .to bluff me into altering the conditions of my challenge into something to suit himself. The challenge was written in good plain English, hut, if lie does not understand English sufficient ly to grasp the meaning of it, lie sjiould have got someone to interpret it for him. If you have ttie space, Sir, 1 will he pleased if yon will insert here my first letter down to and including “monetary loss to himself.” [The following is the relevant portion of (lie letter referred to: —“lf, therefore, he will authorise yon to publish his mime, 1 will lie pleased to-make a donation to the school funds of one ton

of low. Further, 1 challenge him to allow an independent committee to he set up to consider wide!) of us, he or I, has been the most practically patriotic both before and during the war. If the committee decides against me I am prepared to donate one Ton of tow per month, until there is sufficient to buy a good British piano for the school. .Such criticism and condemnation could only come from a man who has done his “bit,” and therefore he should not he ashamed of his name, -fie has now the opportunity of proving his particular brand of patriotism, of proving his right, to criticise and condemn,.of materially helping the school funds without monetary loss to himself.”]

This makes the matter quite clear. 1 have simply substituted £IOO cash for the ton of tow per month, and if the committee finds against me the cash will he forthcoming immediately. Although his choice of those to buy the piano is good, I must again point out to him that he is not the School Committee, and therefore must not usurp its (unctions by appointing purchasers of (he piano. 'The next question is the mat ter'of a committee of investigation. 1 suggest we appoint one member each, and for these to appoint a third, who will he ehairman. J herewith enclose the name of my appointee. In regard to your footnote to my last letter, I quite agree with you, Sir, “that your hue of thought is beyond my mental capacity.” So was “Parents”! —lam, etc., R. MeMURRAY. [PORTIONS of Air MeMnrray’s last letter of a libellous nature were deleted, for which he should he grateful. Censorship has also been exercised on “Interna I ional's” correspondence. Mr McMnrray should he sure of his facts before jumping to eonclnsi-, ons. —Ed.H.]