REPLY TO CHALLENGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 267, 9 April 1914, Page 2

REPLY TO CHALLENGE.

MK. RUSSELL AND OTAGO DALLY TIMES. STATEMENTS CONCERNING "BLACIC PAMPHLET." '

Okristchurch, April 6. The Otago Daily Times has challenged Mr. G. W. Russell, M.P.,' to substantiate his statements about the "Reformers'" connection with the "Black Pamphlet"— a scurrilous attack 011 Sir Joseph Ward. The challenge was conveyed in the following words: —"He has said enough to render it imperative that he should amplify his statement, supply details, and makp good if he can the charge ho has 'brought. If lie shirks the responsibility which he has imposed upon himself his exclusion from the next Parliament should he his merited punishment." "I have no objection to replying to the challenge,' said Mr. Russell, eiieerfully, to-day. ''The Otago Daily Times carefully suppresses in its leader the specific instance which I gave, of one of the present Ministry (the lion. James Allen), while travelling in the train in the North Island, with Dr. te Rangihiroa, a member of Sir Joseph Ward's party. On that occasion Mr. Allen produced from his bag a copy of the "Black Pamphlet" and handed it to Dr. te Rangiliiroa for his inspection. The member for the Northern Maori district, directly he saw the subject, handed it back to the present Minister for Finance with the remark that he did not indulge In, literature of that description. The Otago Daily Times challenges me to amplify my statement, supply details, and make, good the charge 1 have brought. "If Mr Massey's (itfst lieuten ant in Opposition considered it not beneath the dignity of his position, at a time when lie was Chancellor of tbe Otago University, to cart around in his, bag. for the delectation of all and sundry, the garbage, that was encased in the covers of the 'Black Pamphlet.' 1 may reasonably conclude that a great many others of the 'lieforih' party in a less conspicuous position were, not ashamed to follow the line set by one of their leaders. We 011 on our side had specific information which wo have every reason to believe that large numbers of this notorious pamphlet were purchased and sent not only Australia, but to London, for the purpose of endeavoring to destroy the standing and influence of Sir Joseph VI ard at that time. We also know that men who vvern stationed at the street corners, particularly in Wellington and C'hristchurch, selling this wretched production, found a ready market among the so-called 'Reform' party, and that at the time the 'Black Pamphlet' was the subject of bitter anil relentless comment in every club and place where so called ilefurmers' gathered. '"Mere is my challenge to the Otago Daily '.rimes," Mr. Russell concluded. "Let that paper ask the Hon. James Allen specifically to deny whether the statement I. have made with regard to him and Dr. te Rangiliiroa is correct. .\ial il Mr. Allen admits my statement is correct I ask diiui why he carried that lillhy production around with hint in his travelling bag. and whether he showed it to anyone else than Dr. te liangiliiroa^