A CHALLENGE SHIRKED.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 20054, 14 April 1914, Page 4

A CHALLENGE SHIRKED.

The "Herald" last evening made no attempt to accept our challenge of yesterday morning. We did not expect it would. It seemed a very simple challenge, but it was really one which, if responded to, would have shattered for all time the little prestige which the "Herald" has among the unthinking ones. All we asked the "Herald" to do was to re-publish from its own columns two short extracts. Its refusal eouW ! not be because of its pecuniary regard for space for it dashes off into an. incoherent article, totally evading the point at issue. Such tactics are worthy of tho "Herald" and quite characteristic of newspapers of its stamp. The way in which th© "Herald" ignores the challenge (which could have been easily responded to bad the "Herald" believed itself in the right) is clear indication that our contemporary bias been again floored in another contemptible act, acts which, we may say, are only too common among the Opposition press of to-day. The fact of the matter is that the "Herald" now sees that to publish the paragraphs requested would be literally condemning itself out of its own mouth. Since the- "Herald" sees fit to slink off in this ignominious manner we must perforce leave the matter at that. There is nothing in the "Herald's" reply. Our challenge still stands, but we do not expect it will be accepted. We would, however, advise our contemporary to he more careful of its already very much tarnished escutcheon.