"THE PRESS" AND THE PRIME MINISTER

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22197, 14 September 1937, Page 13

"THE PRESS" AND THE PRIME MINISTER

TU THE EUITOK OT TUI VMS*. Sir, —Your correspondent, "S.M." is sure that my original letter would be interpreted by all sensible people as he has interpreted it. Even in the ] lace ot such disarming modesty, 3 feel that I can "sensibly" suggest thai hje l has failed to appreciate the basic feature of my letter, which initiated this discussion. My contention was that "The Press" had, in its editorial columns, adopted a method of criticism and a choice of language which called into question the honesty and integrity of the Prime Minister. "The Press' had no difficulty in perceiving this, hence its request that I should furnish references to that effect before my letter was published. It is unfortunate therefore that "S.M." has failed to comprehend just exactly what was the cause of my complaint. Had he devoted to the study of my letters the time that he spent in ascertaining the number of lines comprising the original one, his confusion of the point at issue would possibly have been avoided. The position is that your correspondent has adduced no evidence in refutation of my allegations. AH he has done is ♦o a a sert that your statements ("The Press's") ai*e "net only unchallenged but unchallengeable," my response to which was a legitimate charge of dogmatism'. I am afraid that "S.M.V reason for not identifying himself—his expressed fear of Labour victimisation —is hardly convincing. I hav« only to quote the Labour Government's legislative action •n extending to members of the Dominion's oublic service the right of freedom of political expression—a right which was denied them by previous •administrations. In that respect, therefore, I think I can quite safely assure your correspondent that he is starting at shadows. It is: indeed surprising that your correspondent, after finding so much in mv vocabularv of which to disaoorove. finds it convenient to borrow from it *or a "suitable answer." I am left wonderins? if a mild comnhment is 'tnolied. Imitation it is said, is the sincerest form o<' flntterv— Voiirs. etc.. J. .T. COMERFORD. September 13. 1937.