Challenge Not Accepted

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 303, 23 December 1939, Page 6

Challenge Not Accepted

MR. SCRIMGEOUR AND FARMER Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 22. “It would appear that Mr. Scrim - geour has no intention of according me even the courtesy of a curt acknowledgment to my acceptance of his challenge and my subsequent letters to him,” said Mr. J. J. Maher in a statement to-day. “It would appear as well that Mr. Scrimgeour’s utterances have been made with the full approval of the Government and I would, therefore, suggest that the Government should now state whether or net it approves of the action of its spokesman in issuing challenges and then facing to face up to them. “It would appear, however, that Mr. Scrimgeour is living up to the highest traditions of the Labour Party, who have always been champions at evading an issue. I feel, however, as a humble working farmer, that I should warn the Government that, if it desires to preserve the respect of decent sectioni of tho community, it should shape its conduct more in keeping with the standard of honour to which we have previously been used to in New Zealand. “If it permits violent, inaccurate and irresponsible statements to be made by a Government official over the air, such conduct can result only in the ministry coming to be held in contempt. Further, how can we N* v Zealanders, who have hitherto been used to fair play, respect a Government which allows one side and one side only to be put over the air.”