A CHALLENGE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 194, 30 May 1938, Page 5

A CHALLENGE

AN IRATE MINISTER. s STATEMENTS AGAINST MR SEMPLE, REFERENCE TO RECENT HOLIDAY (Per Press Association.) WANGANUI, This Day. The Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) has issued a challenge to Mr H. G. Jenkins, of Wanganui, to attend the former’s meetings at Bulls to-niglit or at Wanganui to-morrow night to prove the statements he is reported to have made when addressing a public meeting in the interest of the National Party recently, or to stand condemned as a “coward and a liar.” Mr: Jehkins, replying, comments on the delay by the Minister in issuing the challenge, saying, “if the belated pro- . test is a stunt to boost his travelling ■ film show or put me at a disadvantage, . the application of a coward sits com- , fortablv on liis shoulders.” : Mr Jenkins’ statements dealt mainly i with Mr Semple’s visit to Australia, ■and the administration of the Public , Works Department. In support of his statements he qiiotes newspaper reports . and official figures, adding : “Nevertheless, if I have done Mr Semple an injustice, I shall immediately ; rectify it and not follow the precedent set by the Prime Minister when he . departed consciously from the truth concerning Savings Bank accounts and t when Mr Nash also deliberately left the path of rectitude in his allegations against the literary staff of the ‘ Dominion.’ ”