Scrimgeour. Replies To “Insult”

Northern Advocate, 4 October 1938, Page 8

Scrimgeour. Replies To “Insult”

[Per Press Association. Copyright. ] NEW PLYMOUTH, This Day.

A vigorous denial of a charge by the “Taranaki Herald’’ that he was the Dr. Goebbels of New Zealand, was made by Mr C. G. Scrimgeour to an audience that crowded the Empire Theatre last night and overflowed into the large Workers’ Social Hall. Quoting from the newspaper comment, Mr Scrimgeour said he was accused of pouring out blatant political propaganda from IZB on Sunday night last.

N.Z.’s Goebbels.”

“He who is paid £ISOO a year by the people of New Zealand to control commercial broadcasting crudely and grossly took advantage of his position again to influence voters in the coming election. In this manner did a man, who, under the guise of a semireligious organisation, has done more to embitter politics in New Zealand than any other person, flaunt his power in the face of the people and of Parliament,” read the comment.

Mr Scrimgeour further quoted the accusation that “Quite clearly he fs to be the Dr. Goebbels of New Zealand in the Socialistic State envisaged'by Mr J. A. Lee.” “Biggest Insult.” Mr Scrimgeour said this was the biggest insult he had ever suffered. He strongly resented the suggestion that he endeavoured to impose his will on the people. Never at any time had they heard him say, “Do as J think.” On the contrary, he had consistently urged the people to think for themselves. In his opinion, until ordinary people realised that they had as much ability as anyone to recognise good from bad, peace would never come to the face of the earth nor the benefits of democracy. He did not care two hoots about his £ 1500 a yeai job. To Reply to “Propaganda.”

Mr Scrimgeour said that if anyone could do it better, they were at liberty to take it from him, but they were not at liberty to take from him the Friendly Road movement. A man with vision to work only for mere money was a poor man indeed. The unfairness of some of the propaganda against him had led him to visit several districts to try to undo some of the damage, continued Mr Scrimgeour. The Prime Minister had lent some colour to the claim that he was allied to party politics by courageously coming out and saying he was his personal friend. “I don’t think it is necessary for anyone to pour, out propaganda for the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage," added Mr Scrimgeour. “I may be accused of being political. I am political, and you will see that in the press of to-mor-row, because the Press Association will lake hold of everything without regard for its context and use it for their own political purpose,"

A Veiled Threat

Mr Scrimgeour said ho had been criticised and branded as a political propagandist but he would say he had never been one to strike the firsl blow. Ho stood for the principles hold by tens of thousands of people in New Zealand. Ho had been unscrupulously attacked, but ho did not believe in personalities. If ho wanted to, ho could make known facts of a

certain gentleman that would damn him in the eyes of his listeners. A voice Blow it off your chest.

Mr Scrimgeour said he would not do that for he had no bitterness. The speaker was given an enthusiastic hearing.

Teachers’ Refresher Course. Between 300 and 350 teachers are expected to attend a refresher course to be held in New Plymouth during the first school week of next year. Mr. R. R. Hunter, senior inspector to the Taranaki Education Board has reported.