"THE PRESS" AND THE PRIME MINISTER

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22201, 18 September 1937, Page 20

"THE PRESS" AND THE PRIME MINISTER

to THE EDITOR 0» THE PRES*. Sir, —Probably the most telling statement that has appeared in the evasive contributions to this discussion by your correspondent “S.M.” is the suggestion in his letter of this morning that I have been “wasting time over an insignificant person like him.’’ With “S.M.’s’’ insignificance or otherwise I must confess to a complete absence of concern. However, it certainly is evident that one could waste quite a lot of time endeavouring to encourage your correspondent to face facts which expediency, presumably, compels him studiously to ignore. I can only express my regret that “S.M.” has failed to observe the rules of intelligent controversy. •In support of my contention that “The Press” had endeavoured to imoufin the honesty and integrity of the Prime Minister, I directed “S.M.’s” attention, ijp my letter of September 9. to certain terms which had been applied to Mr Savage’s utterances. “5.M.,” though taking upon himself the championship of “The Press.” has made no attempt either to justify the use of the terms complained of, or to deny my interpretation of their inference. The significance of his failure to do so is obvious. At no stage of this discussion have I suggested that the Prime Minister should be above criticism. Moreover, Mr Savage has made it perfectly clear on several occasions in remarks which have been reported in the columns of “The Press.” that he welcomes constructive criticism. I claimed that “The Press.” in criticising the Prime Minister, had, for stated reasons, exceeded its editorial privilege in a manner compatible with political bigotry. That, I think, remains undisputed. I am somewhat perturbed lest I may have unwittingly caused “S.M.” to walk in fear and trembling of Labour victimisation. I trust that his forethought m remaining anonymous has prevented any such development. Those naughty, wicked trade unions!— Yours ctc^ J. J. COMERFORD September 17, 1937. fThis correspondence is now closed.— Ed.. “The Press.”!