Mr. Inch Says We Are

“Rude.”

[To The Editor.'] Sir, —Under the heading, “Pestilential Hole,” in your October issue, you quoted some of my published remarks, and in rather rude terms expressed your dissent therefrom, while, in the same issue, publishing many proofs of the accuracy of my observations and the folly of your own! You also misquote me as to the Mandate, which I kindly suggested you should read carefully, as

you had expressed an erroneous opinion to me over the ’phone—as proved by your comment.

The matter was much more accur ately dealt with in the Federal Parlia ment, in the carefully prepared second reading speech of Mr. Marr on the 2nd instant.

I think your references to Judge Wan liss were even more regrettable than those referred to above.

It is wrong to suppose that all your readers are of the larrikin type, and, in any case, you would do well to stat the facts and leave something to you readers.

I am, etc.,

James S. Inch.

Sydney, 11/11/32.

EDITORIAL NOTE. —Mr. Inch is the gentle man who, on the strength of a stay of a few hours in Rabaul on an E & A. steamer, told newspaper reporters that New Guinea is of no use or value to Australia, and expressed the opinion that it is “a pestilential hole”. Ap parently, he is as ready to tell us how to conduct this newspaper, as he is to instruct Australia concerning her territorial respon sibilities. His terminological confusion is such that we cannot quite follow his arguments: but we gather that he thinks we were rude. We admit it. When one meets a certain complacent type of gentleman, who proceeds condescendingly to lecture one on something be obviously knows nothing about, deliberate rudeness is the only answer. Sarcasm, which some advocate, would not penetrate the epidermis.

Half the people who gaze at the coast of New Britain over the rail of a passing ship seem to become seized with the idea that they are now become authorities on New Guinea affairs; and the Islands have suffered cruelly under this kind of thing. We have consistently attacked the public utterances of these unin formed people, and shall continue to do so— and we shall do it as rudely as we can. We have the utmost respect for the genuine seeker after knowledge, no matter how far he may stray from the paths of truth. But we have none whatever for the ‘limelighter” who babbles irresponsibly whenever he finds himself within hearing of a newspaper reporter.