UNFOUNDED CHARGE

Wairarapa Age, 12 August 1919, Page 5

UNFOUNDED CHARGE

THE AMENDE HONOURABLE. In its issue of May 17th last, the "Vanguard," the official organ of the N.Z. Alliance, made the extraordinary allegation, "on good authority," against Dean Darby, of Hamilton, "that on the polling day (April 10th) he blesßed the liquor cars> and, wearing his sacred vestments, in company with two nuns, he carried the sacred emblems along several streets as a token to the faithful that they would be damned if they di'd not follow his lead." In its current issue the "Vanguard" withdraws and apologises for it 6 unfounded statement, which was printed on the authority "of one whom we have known for many years, and whose judgment we had every reason to respect." It sayß the facts are: (1) That there was no blessing of the liquor cars by Father Darby or any other priest; (2) that there was no wearing of sacred vestments r.s alleged; (3) that Ee was not accompanied, as stated, by two nuns; (4) that he carried no sacred emblems, (5) that there was no token, direct or indirect, that the 'faithful' would be damned if they did not follow his lead." "In view of what is now affirmed as the result of enquiry," the "Vanguard" continues, "the barest justice to Dean Darby, demands that we hereby wholly and unreservedly withdraw the statement we made concerning him in our issue of May 17. W© further tender him our very deep and Bincere apology for having been led, unintentionally, to publish such a misrepresentation of his actions on polling day."