POLITICAL NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 139, 30 October 1912, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES.

A PLAIN CHALLENGE. While the member for Wakatipu has been rousing the ire of his constituents by his refusal to build a railway for them the member for Otago Central haa been getting into hot water in another direction. During the Budget debate in the House of Representatives -Mr. Scott alleged that Roman Catholic priests Wad helped his opponents during last year's election campaign, and Father Coffey at once took up the cudgels on behalf of his brethren and challenged the member to substantiate his statement. 'The challenge was not accepted, and on October 9 Father Coffer again urged Mr. Scott to substantiate or- withdraw .his charge. On October 11 Mr. Scott replied: "I cun only reiterateby. statement as contained in my letter to you of September 19, which was to the effect that if I find on enquiring that the statement I made in the House was not true, I shall unhesitatingly make a full withdrawal." The Rev. Father Coffey's comment (sent to Mr. Scott on October 15) includes the following statement: "I am reluctantly forced to the conclusion that you do not desire to do the honorable thing to the Catholic clergy of Central Otago, whom you have so deliberately defamed from your seat in Parliament. I did not think there was one man in this "Dominion who placed such a low value on his personal honor as this correspondence proves that you do." Mr. Scott is also requested (if he refuses to withdraw his charge) to repeat it in such a manner that it will not be covered by Parliamentary privilege, and in case he accepts, this invitation he is assured of a speedy opportunity to prove his charge. Father Coffey apparently holds a strong position. The next move is Mr. Scott's.