CONTROVERSIAL METHODS.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19629, 16 July 1935, Page 9

CONTROVERSIAL METHODS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —For a second time Mr John Sykes has found an exouse to withdraw from a controversy of his own seeking. He now accuses mo of double-hanking on him, whereas all 1 did was to uso an interim to try and get him to understand and adopt my full definition of the policy 1 am upholding, so that we could then debate to some purpose instead of being at cross-piurposes. I held over any reply to his first letter until his ‘‘second edition” appeared. However, he is quite at liberty to change ids mind once more, for I can assure him Unit, according to his ideas of controversy, lie is going to be “most shamefully calumniated" before 1 have finished with him. lie scenes to have called me by every nasty word lie could lay his tongue (pen) lo —‘‘rudeness, stupidity, controversial prostitution, foul." Mr Sykes is obviously furious because 1 have shown that lie does not understand whaL lie is writing about, garbling noL only history but the perfectly plain statements on economics and Scripture from such a peerless exponent of both as I lie late Professor Bedford. Neither does lie understand I lie real aims of the great Socialist leaders, as I shall emphasise in furl her letters, when I shall also refer to Mr it. B. Bennett, Premier of Canada, and 1 lie oilier ‘‘statesmen.”

Again, Mr Sykes vulgarises controversy by stressing Ihc “win” facior, for all these discusisons should lie for Ihc purpose of ascertaining I lie truth, and not merely lo ‘‘win an argument.” 1 will deal further willi Socialism and laissez-faire later. For several months I have been reading Air Sykes’ letters, but refrained from criticising, except, lo challenge (without naming him) his grossly erroneous statement that LJtio laissez-faire policy is dead, as I now do his boast that in England be and those, associated wilh him disposed of the free trade arguments. I will show presently how these Socialist gentlemen “face up" lo vital issues.—l am, etc.,

T. E. Me.MIU.AN. Malamata, July IN, 1P35. [We have excised a portion of the foregoing letter. —Ed. W.T.J