P.M.'s 21-Page Reply On Vietnam For Magazine

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30943, 27 December 1965, Page 6

P.M.'s 21-Page Reply On Vietnam For Magazine

The Prime Minister (Mr Hoiyoake) has invited the “New Zealand Monthly Review” to publish a 21-page reply to an article by Mr L. F. J. Ross, which appeared in the magazine, criticising the Government’s policy in Vietnam.

Faffing publication—“understandable for reasons of space,” says Mr Hoiyoake—he has offered to circulate his reply to the magazine’s subscribers, if it will supply a mailing list. Mr Ross is chairman of the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation. His article, “which

endeavours to refute the Government’s case on Vietnam,” says Mr Hoiyoake, appeared in the September issue of the “Monthly Review,” published by the New Zealand Monthly Review Society, under the editorship of Professor H. W. Rhodes.

Professor Rhodes said yesterday that the magazine could not publish Mr Hoiyoake’s reply because of lack of space—having already printed one statement by Mr Hoiyoake—'but would send a copy of it to any subscriber who forwarded 6d in stamps. Mr Hoiyoake, who says he is familiar with Mr Ross’s style and methods, describes the latter’s article as “his usual rambling collection of quotations, misquotations, partial quotations, quotations out of context, and quotations from people whose authority and knowledge are open to question.” This technique, says Mr Hoiyoake, is presumably intended to give an air of documented authority and painstaking research in support of Mr Ross’s “preconceptions.” There was no objection to the method if properly applied, but Mr Ross appeared unable or unwilling to do that.

Bidden Farewell.—Mrs L. W. West, who had been in charge of the cafeteria at the Christchurch Central Police Station for the last 10 years, was bidden farewell last week. She received a camera from the staff, an electric fry-ing-pan from the cafeteria committee, and crystal glasses from the policewomen and typists at the station.