CORRESPONDENCE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2441, 15 June 1922, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE

MORE IMPUDENT RANTING FROM MR. E. G. MARTIN.

Sir, —Your correspondent “E. G. Martin” returns to his attack on the Welfare League with some more impudent ranting. We are quite used to the tactics of the Red bullies by this time who talk about “free speech and fair criticism” when all they want is the right to abuse and lie about other people. Our experience is that when these bullies are met with a sharp retort they show themselves cowards whining to the public that they, poor things, are being badly treated. Read the pitiful words of Mr Martin about the League and free speech and ask what is the matter with him? He has had equal ■space with ns and what does he want to cry out a spoilt child for? He says we have not answered his “indictment,” bless us — w'here did he get the word ? He means his ignorant impudence, for that is simply what his charge against Mr C. P. Skerritt amounts to, nothing more. We admire the conceit of this individual in classing himself and his red comrades as the useful people.” This reminds us of the child who said to her mother “I will be good if you give me sixpence,” and the mother said, “Why don’t you be like your father —good for nothing!” These Reds are so highly virtuous, in their own minds, that they are ready to be useful for nothing. To show how muddled your correspondent is he accuses us of “wasting so much money in an attempt to cause dissatisfaction amongst the people for the common good of all.” After that sentence what he wanted was not a feed but a long sleep to get his mind a bit clear, if possible. Mr Martin is wrong in thinking we are afraid to meet Mr H. E. Holland in debate. We have offered to discuss definite questions with Mr Holland in the Press where each would have the same space and there would be no interruptions, but so far Mr 11. E. Holland has not been game to face the music. The Reds prefer a debate where they can have a crowd of supporters to howl down their opponents; that is their idea of “free speech.” We note that Mr Martin has got the gag of “why does not the Welfare League publish its list of Officers and members?” It is easily answered. Each Officer’s name tl.ai has been published has been used by the Reds to institute attacks of gross personal abuse against them, anr the League sees no reason .why it should present names as targets for the Reds to throw’ mud at. He asks “how many toilers hold office in the League?” The answer is that they all toil as hard and probably harder than he does. It will be time enough for your correspondent to trouble about who subscribes to the League when he is asked to contribute. It is pure impudence for him to inquire what other people do with their money. All sorts of people contribute to the League in sums from 5/- upward, but it has nothing to do with Mr E. G. Martin wiio they are. It is a piece of cheek for him to ask. He says this is a fair question. It is not —it is an impudent question. Our ansu’er to the question of whqt we pay for our “huge paper propaganda” is that we pay nothing at all for this wide-spread publicity. Mr Martin has got on to a “mare’s nest” there.

As regards alleviating the misery and unemployment in our midst the League’s members have contributed very largely for such purposes. Take Wellington—last winter when unemployment was rife the Leagne eo-operaied with the Wellington Civic League in raising a considerable sum of money by which hundreds of men were employed and their families relieved. What did the Reds do? Mr J. Roberts, secretary of the Alliance wrote to the papers advising people not to support such fund; others of the so-c-alled N.Z. Labour Party sulked, and instead of helping actually hindered the work of finding employment for the men who were out, In Christchurch they first went on to the Unemployment Relief Committee, then took the pet and resigned, leaving it to others to help the unemployed. When Mi’ Martin writes of the League publishing “a Union supposed balance sheet” he is writing in ignorance. There is no supposition about it. The balance-sheet is signed by the Auditor and Officers of the Union and we published at the request of members of the Union. What a joke after all your correspondent is, he tells us that he “happened to come into existence before the League.” Well, we will take it at- that —he just, happened, a kind of accident, nobody really responsible. Wo will leave Mr Martin just there. We are, Yours, etc,

N.Z. WELFARE LEAGUE. (Correspondence now closed, Ed.H.