CHALLENGE AND COUNTER CHALLENGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 284, 1 December 1925, Page 9

CHALLENGE AND COUNTER CHALLENGE.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Without attempting a reply to my letter of an earlier date, Mr. Skelton, as is his habit, contented himself by giving expression to a few more rambling and incoherent irrelevancies. Mr. Skelton desires to know my personal qualifications to be a member of Parliament. I can at least say I have been a producer iv the industrial life of the country. I can claim to have been gifted with more Liberalism on the occasion when Mr. Skelton shrieked, "No trade with the Central Powers." for in common with O. E. Burton, M.A., I opposed Mr. Skelton's reaction on that occasion. I can claim to have taken an interest in the country's affairs in common with thousands of others, and have submitted myself to the jury I value more than I do Mr. Skelton's "opinion, i.e., the electorate of Auckland East. It is not for mc to express an opinion of my qualifications and fitness, but the electorate has not frowned upon such as I may have. Finally. Mr. Skelton, whose courage exceeds 'hi? discretion, challenges mc to debate: "Whether the Liberal party or the Trade Union party in New Zealand has proved by its respective accomplishments the right to lead this Dominion." Although less indiscreet, I trust I am not less courageous, and I am prepared to give this political Don Q. an opportunity of affirming, since his zeal is so fiery, the following: "That the Liberal party rather than the Labour party, is deserving of the support of all progressive New Ze'alanders/' This is part of the question he has been affirming in Roskill, and the Liberal-Nationalist party affirming in New Zealand , and New Zealand has found in Labour's favour by thousands of votes. If Mr. Skelton is still ardent and he will phone mc, I shall be pleased to meet him to discuss arrangements. —I am, etc., JOHN A. LEE.