"A DOWNRIGHT FALSEHOOD."

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1919, Page 2

"A DOWNRIGHT FALSEHOOD."

(To the Editor.) Sir, —My attention lias been called to a libellous letter- appearing in your columns from the pen of one ".T. 0. Taylor." This person says: "On Iho 31st July last, the New Zealand Tablet referred to King George as being a dog that ruled Ireland." I desire to have no controversy or any dealings whatever with a person of Mr. Taylor's standing, but I unhesitatingly affirm that the statement he has made Is a downright falsehood. The reference (which he twists to his own ends) was a doggerel rhyme sent in by a correspondent who referred to Macpherson and Lloyd George. This fact was made plain in a later issue of the Tablet, but it is like Mr. Taylor and his kind to suppress details of that sort. I know you are not responsible for Mr. Taylor's code of ethics, and I am sure yoif do not want to be, but,permit me to say that you have allowed hlni to make through your columns a malicious and libellous statement, which I trust you will at once disassociate yourself from.—l am etc., (Signed) JAMES KELLY. Editor, N.Z. Tablet. | rWe, of course,- are la no way responsible I for opinions expressed by correspondents, and j win therefore readily disassociate ourselves i from the statements made by. Mr. Taylor, as I v©U as from those of the correspondent to whom he was replying. We would prefer that subjects of the kind were not dis- ! cussed in our columns, for they are generally unprofitable, and only lead to uncharitable-1 aess and bitterness, though, as Mr. Kelly will j )ii> doubt appreciate, it is sometimes difficult j for an editor to refuse publication of letters | that appear to be of public Interest, out of j which arise recrimination, as In this case.— I Ed.]