ATTACK ON FARMERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 November 1939, Page 4

ATTACK ON FARMERS

AIR SCRIMGEOUR’S CHALLENGE ACCEPTED PROOF OFFERED BEFORE JUDGE. MANGAROA FARMER'S LETTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Arising out of public protests by various branches of the Farmers’ Union concerning attacks which the Director of Commercial Broadcasting (Mr C. G. Scrimgeour) is said to have made against the farmers of New Zealand, a challenge was issued by Mr Scrimgeour on Sunday night offering, if it wbre proved that he had used the words complained of, to resign his position and not to speak over the radio again. Mr J. J. Maher, farmer. Mangaroa, has taken up the challenge. In a letter to Mr Scrimgeour he asks to be informed of the time and place at which he is to attend before a judge of the Supreme Court for the settlement of the issue.

Mr Maher’s letter to Mr Scrimgeour say’s: “During your broadcast on Sunday evening to what you described as a potential audience of a million, people, you replied to the recent protests of thousands of farmers by issuing a challenge in the course of which you offered to resign your position as Director of Commercial Broadcasting and never to speak over the radio again if anyone proved before a judge of the Supreme Court that you used the objectionable expression complained of. In order that New Zealand may forever be rid of your methods of propaganda and the calm of our Sabbath evenings restored, I hereby accept your challenge and undertake Io prove that two Sunday nights ago your voice was heard over the radio referring to the Farmers' Union as ’Public Enemy No. 3.’ Please inform me as soon as possible of the time and place at which I am to attend before whatever judge of the Supreme Court you may elect for the purpose of settling this matter. It is very desirable that the numerous witnesses whom I propose to call should have an opportunity of giving their evidence before the Courts close for the summer vacation.”