Challenge to Withdraw

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 245, 17 October 1935, Page 8

Challenge to Withdraw

SEED EXPORT TRADE

STATEMENTS QUESTIONED

Per Press Association,

CHRISTCHURCH, East Night,

A challenge to Mr. L. R. C. Mncfarlane, the former president of the Agricultural Society', to substantiate statements alleged to have been made by him at tho annual conference of the Agricultural Society, or to publicly withdraw tnem, was made at the annual conference of the New Zealand Crain, Seed and Produce Merchants' Federation, which was held in Christchurch to-day. The paragraphs in Mr. Macfarlane's address objected to were: “One meets clever men who can conceal their ignorance and statesmen who can anticipate the people’s wants, but on the whole the world is full of unconscious liars. We all know so very little We have wonderful pastures in this country and there should be a great opening for the export of more seed. Somehow it appears to hang fire. I think tho fault lies with our seed merchants. They are too hungry-, so I gathered in England and, after sending over some good seed, ring in stuff that is well below sample.’’ The chairman of the federation, Mr. L. G. lv. Steven, said that although these two statements were widely separated in Mr. Macfarlane's address, the first statement perhaps explained tho second, but it was a pity Mr. Macfarlano should disclose his ignorance in such an offensive and unsubstantiated statement concerning members of the federation. “Fortunately for Mr. Maefarlane, tho federation's lawyers’ advice is that tho federation, as a body-, cannot sue him for libel,’’ said Mr. Steven. “In correspondence with Mr. Macfariane I called his attention to the report and asked him if he had been incorrectly- reported. I suggested that if he had been correctly reported his statement was possibly mado without due consideration or the full knowledge of the facts and that he might have this statement corrected. Mr. Maefarlane replied confirming tho report of his statement and stating that his remarks were made with full consideration. This leaves no other course open to me than to tako this opportunity of refuting publicly the unwarranted and offensive statement, and of challenging Mr. Maofarlane either to substantiate his statement or to withdraw it.’’