MR. MOFFATT'S CHALLENGE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVI, Issue XLVI, 23 October 1911, Page 6

MR. MOFFATT'S CHALLENGE.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—When speaking at Canvastown some two weeks-ago, Mr'W. J. Moffatt, the leasehold advocate, and a candidate far tfce Nelson seat- at the forthcoming Parliamentary election, after. thrashing the much perplexed land question with most unwarrantable severity, concluded his tirade by issuing a challenge to debate the land question from the leasehold versus freehold ctaiielpoiiit, with any- candidate, and upon any platform in the electorate to be chosen by bis opponent. And in his endeavour to assure his audience of the genuineness and infallibility of his .touch, cherished doctrine, he added: "I will rive you the other four aspirants against me, and each one may speak for an indefinite period, provided I am given the right of haif-an-hcur's reply, and I assirre you, ladies and gentlemen, that at the conclusion of such a debate I will have tkoroujghly convinced you that the two leasehold-freehold-yes-iio candidates are emblems of deception personified, while the glory .-..if the freehold candidates rcsi< in- the ijiiWmiay of their shame."' For two weary weeks I have waited anxious ly for the acceptance of/ the challenge ; but all to no purpose. Surely our freehold principles are not to be trampled" in the dust and drawn in the mire at the bidding of Mr W. J. Mofzatt. who. apparently, would Jeave no Stone unturned to have his sweet will obeyed. This challenge, I understand. "ha« bee-j issued from all .platforms where Mr Moffatt has spoken, and why has it not been accepted ? Assured Iv we have the light end of what is undoubtedly a heavy stick, and for my part I am .confident that- the acceptance of such a broadcast challenge 'would mean a proud victory for freehold : and. on the other hand, if such a challenge is allowed to. go unheeded, we will in evitablv suffer ignominious de-feat al the poll. Therefore I sincerely trust that Kle?srs Atmore and Bishop, whom I understand are the most able debaters against Mr Moffatt. will take the matter up and fi?ht to a. finish-in the interests of Liberalism and freehold.

I 'airi. etc.. . . "FREEHOLD.