SIGNED POLITICAL ARTICLES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10754, 28 April 1913, Page 2

SIGNED POLITICAL ARTICLES.

MR HUGHES AND THE "ARGUS.' 1 THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S MOVE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received April 28, 10.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 28. The Hon W. M. Hughes, AttorneyGeneral, referring t-o the "Argus" incident, says it is a really good joke, but the "Argus" must not think it has a monopoly of jocular matters of this kind. "To show how I appreciate a genuine joke," said Mr Hughes, " and recognise the responsibilities of office, I havo taken steps to put the Act into operation against the ' Argus,' for on the same day and in the same issue publishing an unsigned article commenting on electoral matters. On the whole, my joke seems better than its own."

(Last week the Melbourne ''Argus" was responsible for a much-appreciated joke at the expense of the Hon W. M. Hughes, the Attorney-General. Legislation was recently passed providing that political articles during an election campaign must be signed. Mr Hughes sent a couple of statements to the '•'Argus" commenting on the utterances of Mr Joseph Cook, the leader of the Opposition, and the " Argus," in mentioning their receipt, stated that the Attorney-General had omitted to append his true name and address as required by the Electoral Act now in operation, and for this, apart, from other reasons, the comments could not be published. The journal then proceeded to quote the Act for tbe Attor-ney-General's enlightenment.)