A CHALLENGE TO MR WITTY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14993, 13 June 1914, Page 11

A CHALLENGE TO MR WITTY.

TO THr EWTOR OF "THE mESS."Sir,—ln a recent political address, Vlr George Witty, M.P. for Riccarton, . reported to have said that "Sir Wilam Hall-Jones could no longer bo re-n-ded as a Liberal." I challenge Mr Witty to give the grounds upon which he mado this statement. .should he fail to do so, perhaps you vill be good enough to allow mc to deal ith tho matter through your columns. -Yours, etc., •

WM. HALL-JONES. Wellington, Juno llth.

In October of hist year tho "New Zoaland Times," referring -to Sir. Wm. Hall-Jones's appointment to tbe Legislative Council, said:—"lt cei-tainly '& the fact that Sir William has recently found reason to modify his political opinions, and now inclines strongly towards Toryism, but .why sho-fldf ,we complain? That is the way with many; Liberals who rise in the world.'' • ,

Sir William wrote in reply the To!-'- 1 lowing letter:—"ln your sub-loader today, referring to myself, -you say:- Tt certainly is tho fact that Sir -William has recently found reason to modify his political opinions, and now strongly towards Toryism, but why should we complain, etc., etc.?' Left' : at this, it is innuondo, of the grossest . type. Now, . I challenge you to cay; upon what grounds you base this statement. You may call to your aid any, or all, of the luminaries who frequently. adorn your paper, but I ask you "to adopt tho manly course, and say straight out tho grounds for what you \ havo said." < ..'•'■•• : *

Tho "New Zealand Times" made no apology or explanation, but merely stated that it "believed it'had ample reason" for what it said.