IN N.Z. BOOTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 219, 15 September 1943, Page 7

IN N.Z. BOOTS

U.S. AND RED TROOPS

MR. SEMPLE'S STATEMENT

"The American troops who are chasing the Japs out of the islands to-day are doing it in New Zealandmade boots," said the Minister of Works, Mr. Semple, addressing a largely attended meeting in the Ambassador's Theatre, Point Chevalier, last night in support of the candidature of Mr. F. Hackett, the official Labour candidate for Giey Lynn Mr. Paul Richardson presided. "What about giving them running shoes?" asked a member of the 3. udiGncG "I would give them running shoes, all right, the slit-eyed yellow littlemonsters, with spikes inside and out," came the ready reply. The Minister had been speaking oi the war effort of New Zealand. He added that Russian soldiers who were chasing the Germans "hell for leather out of their country were also wearing New Zealand-made footwear, and he gave details of supplies that had been made in the Dominion and sent to the Soviet-Union to help to keep the soldiers of Russia warm in the severe winter. Tribute to N.Z. Women Mr. Semple paid an eloquent tribute to the work of the women of New Zealand in their wonderful response to the needs of the country s war effort, and referred in scathing terms to Labour party opponents who had attempted to detract from the full credit being given for the nation's and the Governments achievements. Speaking of the stupendous task that lay ahead of the Labour Government in post-war reconstruction and the dangers which threatened the working classes, Mr. Semple spoke of the threat to the trade union movement in the policy of the National party, and also in the attitude of the member for Grey Lynn, who had taken a stand against the workers' movement. Mr. Semple recalled the experiences of Germany and Italy under dictatorships, where the trade union movement had been suppressed. Trade Unionism "John A. Lee said he would kick the trade union secretaries down the stews of the Trades Hall if he had his* way," said Mr. Semple. "Well, Hitler went one better —he shot them. I have fought all my life for the principles of trade unionism, and I am not going to stand by and see the most humanitarian movement I know of crucified by traitors" he added amidst loud applause. Mr. Semple spoke at length on the Government's plans for reconstruction and the new order after the war. He stated that the most exhaustive inquiries were being made at the present time by officers of various Departments into the country's resources, and the most modern methods of industrial science in other parts of the world. Particularly was this so in regard to house building, and an expert was at present in the United States investigating the prefabrication process for housing. In many respects this invention was the most far-reaching of modern times, and New Zealand was determined to go fully into its possibilities and its suitability to this country's needs.