MR PERRY’S CHALLENGE TO MR GILCHRIST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18723, 29 November 1922, Page 11

MR PERRY’S CHALLENGE TO MR GILCHRIST.

TO THE EDITOE. Sir, —Mr Gilchrist says that he was much amused upon reading my letter. lam glad it put Mr Gilchrist in good humour. lie may have had a hearty laugh, but he may be reminded that he who laughs last laughs longest and loudly. Mr Gilchrist now charges mo with having preached internationalism before the war. That is not true. I am prepared to place in your hands another £IOO if he will do the same, Mr Gilchrist to produce any one of the young men who were brought to paciiicisrn by me. I think, Sir, the boot is on the other foot, Mr Gilchrist is only trying to throw a smoko screen over the questions that 1 asked him at his meeting at the South Dunedin Town Hall. One question was: "Do you still believe with your colleague] Mr S’ilvorstone, that the women folks of New Zealand who encouraged their men to go to fight for New Zealand were lower than the beast of the fields?” Th e answer was: ‘‘l do not think that any human being is lower than the beast of the field.” The second question was; “Then why have you not protested against so vile a slander upon the mothers of this country?” Mr Gilchrist then got angry. Springing to his feet, he pointed to me, saying: ‘‘That man was the means of getting two innocent young men sent to gaol for two years.” People. have come to me, some that I do not know, who are ready and willing to vouch for the truth of my statement, before any body of people, judicial or otherwise. I own that I have not got the many qualifications mentally that Mr Gilchrist possesses. I know little or nothing about the science of astronomy or honey bees or picture shows or the editorship of a newspaper. I cannot hqast about having been sent (at the age of 15 years) as delegate by the Labour Party. I do not claim to he a prodigy. Will Mr Gilchrist tell us what union he is a member of. There is that old but very true saying, a person is known by the company ho keeps. That old saying. I take it, is a true standard for one to judge men by. Mr Gilchrist lias invited mo to eome to one of his meetings. I may go to one more of his meetings, I know by hitter experience how they love free speech. Wo have not forgotten the case of Mr Ormrod. We all know the manner his case was dealt with. It was a foretaste of what this country may expect should Mr Gilchrist’s party become our rulers.—l am, etc.. W. H. Perry. Drandon street, South Dunedin. November 27.