CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1939, 13 February 1919, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir. —As Mr McMurray is trying to wriggle out of the substance of: my offer to reveal my identity providing i>e put up that £IOO cash, I don’t feel inclined to waver from it. He accepted thy offer, for here is his words, in your issue of February 4th: “But, as he has thrown out a challenge, I can assure him I am sport enough to take him on.” Now, Sir, my challenge was that he lodge (he £IOO cash with the Secretary of the School Committee by a certain time, on a certain date, and he accepted it in the words used above. Further comment on that point is needless. I know why he is twisting, but until he puts up the cash he will not know who “International” is. I interpret “practical patriotism” to mean giving what one can

legally afford. Taking that its a biisic principle, I lake it that it would be wrong to give what should

go into others’ coffers, for in giving one must be just before they are generous. On that principle, Sir, 1 defy Mr McMurray to prove that he has given more than 1, based on our giving power. He uses the words “an Englishman’s word is Jim bond”; then why does he twist so much? He says, that “a Britisher does not treat his obligations like a mere scrap of paper”; will he apply this to himself? As to his query whether I understand English, well, I think X do, just as much as I understand why he preferred a German piano—a Waldemar, made in Berlin—to a British article, made by a Briton, but I will admit I do not understand his particular brand of patriotism, coming from such a. good patriot as he professes to be. 1 am surprised at myself for wasting such valuable time trying to get him to come to light, as he now wants committees set up and judges to judge; what next will be wont? Why doesn’t lie keep to my challenge, which he accepted—cash up? 'The bulk of his present and past letters have been iiothing but mud, and after this is over he will be well in it, for 1 was always given to understand that an Englishman gave fair play to his opponents, which, judging by the footnote to his lei ter, must be one to whom the following quotation applies: “Whom the gods wish to destroy, (hey iirst make mad.” He says (hat I should not usurp the Committee’s functions. This is ridiculous, as the Englishman 1 nominated to hold the money happens to be the secretary, and could have held the money just as well as anyone else. Until he tells why he won’t put up the cash beforehand, 1 refuse to.-deal with him. He can have it back if the committee decides against me. As io usurping the Committee's functions, who did more than he and his friend? What about those petitions, and was not his resignation brought: about by his endeavours to rule six by three? Then his letters to the Board, was that not usurping their functions; and his “broad principle" to the Department, wa* that not also usurping the Department’s functions? More so as they were told by the Chairman of the Board that they had no standing, not being committeemen. What has been troubling them is that they have been barking up the wrong tree. Yes, Sir, they have been blaming someone else for being “International.” In passing over the rest of bis* screed, his use of the words “broad principle,” I will ask him how he will apply it. For how will he slop the importer from importing foreign goods, or Hie ships from carrying them? And, further, will lie stop the use of hymns set to German music, and some translated from the German language from being sung in his church? Musi we apply Ins broad principle and not allow the children to read the lessons from the Bible at Sunday school because (he Germans read the same hook? f think he has opened up a problem beyond his power of solving. If Um children are taught tjial they must only patronise a certain make of article, then they will learn to hate makers of other articles, despite what lie says to (lie contrary. He talks about liberty, yet he would deny me the right to use a nom-de-plume. I dealt through these columns with the subject from an international viewpoint, as I was not seeking to make myself vainglorious in an effort to catch some of the limelight, like my friends have been doing. In conclusion, I would quote from his national pod, Burns; “Thai man and man the wide world o'er shall brothers he for all that,” and while I agree that those responsible for the war should iTe punished, 4 don't see the need to hang the whole German nation, some of whom made his “Waldemar” piano. In the spirit of Internationalism I wrote, and as I am international in my sentiments I still sign myself, without being ashamed,

INTERNATIONAL.