THAT GERMAN PIANO.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1942, 20 February 1919, Page 3

THAT GERMAN PIANO.

(To the Editor.)

Sir. —“International” talks about wriggling; your readers are the best judges of who is wriggling. Last Tuesday night you re-printed my challenge, and when that was first made “International” replied as follows : “His efforts to draw me out per medium of tow I have good, reasons for declining; but, nevertheless, why drag his generosity over such a protracted period? Wily not put down the lump sum for a first-class British instrument, for you know he who gives quickly gives twice.” Also, “The main substance of his letter is funk, simply an effort to tow me up, but I happen to take a little better bait than he is offering, and as he talks so glibly of challenges, well, I will disclose my identiy on these terms; will he let me pick a British piano for the school at spot cash, and satisfy me that he alone is paying the cost. Come on now, Mac, show us that your offer is something more reliable than tow, and the above is better than the time-payment system.” These references (dearly be had in jnind the whole purchase of the piano, and also the ton of tow per month; the conditions with same being that a committee of investigation had to bo set ftp. His objection to the tow I have attended to by substituting the £IOO. If he does undersand English, then it is evident “the poor fellow did get towed up.” In his last letter he says: “I know why he is twisting, etc.” This is the second time he has affiirmed he knows my private business; no doubt he docs. Is that the reason he dare not allow a committee to compare his actions with mine? I wish to point out here that I was under no obligation to offer a piano to the school, but lie butted in, and held my patriotism up to ridicule and contempt, and by offering Hie piano I simply gave him a chance of proving his superior patriotism by footing the whole bill myself. Notwithstanding all that ha b|amcs me with, and also that I have a Waldemar piano, which, if the obtaining of same was unpatriotic, he can have counted against me, he has so far shirked coming out and having his patriotism tested with mine. Contrary to Ids assertion, 1 have never professed to be a good patriot, or do I now, but, as bad as I am,«l am practically staking £IOO to not lung (hat I am no worse than he. His interpretation of practical patriotism shows his very elevated ideals, but if he does not wish to lake giving into account he can cross that out, and take'merely personal service; in fact, I am prepared to meet him on any reasonable grounds whatever, lie wants to know why 1 refuse to pul up the cash. Well, (1) my challenge was (dear, and does not call upon me to do so, and, as a free agent, 1 am certainly not going to he dictated to as to what I shall do or not do by “International”; (2) at the present moment 1 cannot afford to have £IOO lying idle; (3J there is no immediate hurry for the piano, but if “International” is so anxious for it let him appoint his committeeman, and the matter can be fixed, without further delay; (4) those who offered donations towards the school equipment fund were not insulted by having demanded from them cash up. 1 claim the same courtesy as was extended to others. Now, the position is, either one or the other of us is quibbling, but, for the sake of a quibble, will his patriotism allow him to deprive the school of the chance of obtaining a good British piano? “International” is absolutely wrong when he says, “that bis challenge,.which I accepted, was to lodge £IOO cash with the secretary by a certain date, etc.” At the beginning of this letter I have quoted his replies which are relevant to ray challenge. It was only after he had accepted my challenge that he tried to mnke these conditions. (See his letter in your valuable paper of Feb. (Ith.) He says, “My present- and past letters have been nothing but mud.” In the early stages of this correspondence, “International” talked about a boomerang. It is a thing I know very little about, bill if he can see mud it is simply that his shots were very badly aimed, and on reluming upon him those shots he has mistaken for mine. I simply drew comparisons between the Hun methods and his own; if the cap tits and he cares to wear it I am certainly no! going to quarrel with him over it. Anyway, what about that contemptible little British army, and that contemptible offer of tow? Hebarking up the wrong tree; “International” admits he is, for he says: “They are blaming someone else for being ‘lnternational.’ ” If lie considered ho was right he would not use the word “blame,” for one does not get blamed for doing right. Anyway, what kind of a man is he if lie stays in biding and allows an innocent person lo be blamed for what be has done? He also says: “I am surprised at myself for wasting so much time, etc.” I am not, for a boomerang he threw at me, and, as usual, missed by a mile, had on it these words; “Whom the gods destroy they lirsl make mad.” (See his last letter). In fact, it appears as if he was so far gone that he did not grasp (he fact that your footnote also applied to himself. 1 have taken care not to bemean myself by what yqnr correspondent terms “throwing mud.” But to finish all petty arguing; what is going to do? I have offered a piano to the school on certain terms; if he won’t accept my terms that ends the matter for good and all. I will not stand any

more humbug. It must he a plain yes or no. If yes, the committee’ can soon settle all argument; but if he Avill not stand up to the test, all his arguing-and assertions go for nought.—-I am, etc., R. McMURRAY.