MAG. PAGE AND “BUCK PRIVATE”

Grey River Argus, 23 May 1942, Page 8

MAG. PAGE AND “BUCK PRIVATE”

f . . (To the Editor). Sir. —in the “Argus” of Mav 19th. appears a letter signed “Buck Private ” We are amazed that you should publish a letter containing unfounded insinuations, particularly under a nom-de-plume, without first checking the bona Ades of the writer, and without) malting some attempt to find out whether there was any truth in the allegations contained in it. Fortunately, the identity of “Buck Private” has become known to us. Dealing with his letter, “Buck” savs his conscience pricked him after reading our Mag. Page editorial entitled “Onward,” and he joined the Home Guard some two months ago. This, we state, is a deliberate falsehood. He had been in the Home Guard only one. week when he penned his Letter. Npr d>d his conscience have anything to do with it. He was called in the last ballot and was advised by his employer to join the Home Guard as this would assist in the success of an appeal against military service. “Buck’s” reference to a Mag. Page editorial or article entittod “Onward” has appeared in the Page, nut an announcement inserted hy the National Council of the Licenced Trade with that heading has appealed in the general columns of the “Argus.” He probably means our editorial entitled “A Call to Arms.” Rather a strange mistake to make for one who has been “watching events rather cibselv for some time.” Accuracy is obviouslv not “Buck’s” strong point. ’ We have now finished with “Buck Private.” He will be heard from no more. In ease, however; he should have created an impression with hisi insinuations against those responsible for the editing of the Mag. Page, we would conwv the following information to your readers: —All the members of the Editorial Board are either active members of the Home Guard, or are active* v engaged in E.P.S. work. Furthermore. they have been members cf these organisations since the early davs of the existence of tnese bodies All ed'tor’als of the Mag. Pam? are the collective work of the Editorial Board. Drafts of proposed leading articles are submitted each week bv various members of the Board, and, after due consideration, are approved. .amended. or rejected. The article.' “A Cal*' To Arms,” was no exception to this rule: hence, no one member of the Board can be considered solely responsible for the editorial views expressed.—Yours, etc., Editorial Board, “Magazine Page.”