“THE RETORT COURTEOUS”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23528, 17 June 1938, Page 14

“THE RETORT COURTEOUS”

ro rII h EDITOH

Sir, —In your editorial to-day I find you suggesting that Lord Rothcrmere’s comments on the defence of New Zealand are worthy of courteous consideration. I cannot imagine that you think highly of Lord Rothermere. Nevertheless, I consider that you think too highly of him. By common agreement Lord Rothermere and his papers represent the nether limit of journalistic degradation in England. For many years their only consistent policy has been the sponsorship of every illiberal cause, and of aggressors and tyrants of every description. Until the last few years Lord Rothermere gave strong support to Japanese aggression in China. If New Zealand is ever menaced from that quarter. Lord Rothermere will bear a fraction of the responsibility. Lord Rothermere has certainly assisted and exulted in the overthrow of Central European democracies. He is now, in all probability, attempting to assist in the overthrow of democracy in New Zealand. While not denying that the defence of New Zealand is an important problem. I suggest that statements emanating from so unprincipled and so malevolent a source are worthy of no consideration whatever.—l am, etc., June 15. .7. N. Findlay.

[We are not concerned with the personality of Lord Rothermere. What we suggest is that it is discourteous and rude on the part of the Prime Minister to tell any British publicist, who is interested in the conditions that exist in New Zealand, that he should mind his own business.—Ed., O.D.T.J