A DENIAL

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 79, 30 September 1924, Page 2

A DENIAL

STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT

Mr. Julian Grande writes to "The Post" from Geneva, dated 25th August, emphatically contradicting a statement reported to have been made in Parliament by Mr. Massey concerning himself. Mr. Grande states:—"l may say. at once that I was shocked to see the statement in question, as there is no foundation for it, and I cannot for the life of me imagine who told the story to Mr. Massey. If any person did say to him that I said I had articles about Mr Mas•sey and could publish them in any London papers if I did not get other remunerative work, meaning I suppose a job in the New Zealand Government, that person who could have concocted such a story is either a lunatic or a liar, or both. I have written to Mr. Massey, and I enclose a copy of the letter, I hope you will be good enough to publish it, as it is very hard for a man to be attacked in the House, when he is unable to defend himself,' being 12.000 miles away. .

Following is a copy of the letter sent to the Prime Minister:— "Dear Mr. Massey,—My brother-in-law in Wellington has sent me several newspaper clippings containing an alleged statement by you, in which, you are reported to have said that I took a certain article about you to an officer iv the employ of the New Zealand Government, and that I said: "I can get this into any of the London papers, and I am going to publish it unless you find me more remunerative employment." Now, I never in my life took any article regarding you or anything connected with New Zealand or your party to any officer or to any person, noi- did i-use^such language to anybody. I was literally shocked when I saw the words attributed to you. I cannot for the life 01 me imagine what it is all about I have often had conversations with Sir James Allen, but never did I suggest my looking for any remunerative position either at the High Commissioner's Office or any other Department connected with the New Zealand Government. ' ■ ■

As you know, I wrote a series of ar. tides on New Zealand, and Captain Dunn, who used to be in the Tourist Department, said to me that he thought they were the best articles he had ever seen on New Zealand, and that they ought to be reprinted in pamphlet, form and distributed during the Exhibition at the New Zealand Pavilion. I brought the matter before Sir James Allen, and he discussed the cost of producing such a Pamphlet with one of ytfur propaganda officials, but the question of remuneration to me was never mentioned. I distinctly said at the time that I would be -pleased to write an introduction to the pamphlet and would give some of my photographs of New Zealand to illustrate it, and that would be my contribution to the New Zealand Section of the Exhibition. I also inquired once if the Tourist Department could lend me a film on New Zealand life to show at my lectures. The High Commissioner tried tcfeget this for me, but it was not possible. I also showed the High Commissioner a list of the lectures on New Zealand and the different places where I was to deliver them, and I mentioned that there were two or three societies who wanted me to lecture on New Zealand, in which cases there was no fee attached, and I asked if the Tourist Department could supply me with a matdc lantern and an operator, so that I would not be out of pocket on account of the expense.<

"But I never asked for any payment for any work, nor did I ask for any position either in. connection with the Exhibition or anything else. "You will see, 'therefore, that you did me a gross injustice by making such a statement in the House,- where I could not defend myself, especially as I am 12,000 miles away. I must ask you as a loyal Ulsterman, and as an old servant of_New Zealand, to withdraw this really libellous statement regarding me. I hope it will not be necessary for me to ask you to repeat it outside the House, for you will understand I cannot let the matter rest where it is.

You also insinuated that I had been inspired either by Mr. Thomas 'Wilford or by some member of his party to write something derogatory about you or your party in the English Press. The only article I wrote about you and your party was the one on New-Zealand party •politics, and the information for it I. received when I was in New Zealand. The article was not inspired by Mr. Wilford or by anyone else, nor did I receive from anyone in New Zealand or elsewhere any cables asking me to write derogatory, articles about you or your party. "I only met Mr. Wilford once when in New Zealand, and thfit was iv his office in Parliament Building, the same day as I niet you. Otherwise I have never had any communication \vith him directly or indirectly. ."I appeal to you to put the matter right, as I feel you are incapable of deliberately doing an injustice to anyone. —I am. etc., JULIAN GRANDE."