QUESTIONS FOR MR SEMPLE

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23087, 1 August 1940, Page 10

QUESTIONS FOR MR SEMPLE

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESSSir,—l should like to ask the Hon. R. Semple a few questions, seeking a genuine reply, fa) Why is it he has ah Italian foreman on the Mid-Canter-bury irrigation scheme. (b) Why are' married men turned down (ofl the scheme) who reside ir -this district? Cc) How many single men Thas he at present on public .works jobs throughout the country? I am a married man with three and a half years’ service in the last war, and l , volunteered last November for I this one, blit I am so far on the wait- ’ ing list, and being a seasonal worker in the country. I think that means no go with the army. However, I am 52 and still can do my bit anywhere, and that is well known in this dis- . trict. ' . I think the lads holding union tickets for. years are more entitled to consideration than any Italian or German 'who is dumped into this country. Hie place for such persons is behind the barbed wire. I hope we in this district can see the reply to the above. questions as ✓soon as possible. It is a sore spot to the boys leaving this irrigation scheme , for Burnham camp to bid adieu to our alien boss. Manhood of ‘our country calls for better than this kind of patriotism, and I for one will not - .-rest until it is altered.—Yours, et&, . RETURNED-DIGGER. ' July 23, 1940. .. [This-letter was referred to the Minister for Public Works, the Hon. R. "Semple, who replied as, follows:—‘(a) It.ls true that there is an Italian over-seer-on the irrigation works. .He is a highly skilled workman and has been in , the employ. of the department' for*. 15 “years. He has shown no signs of disloyalty and is a, decent and very Capable employee. The Government is not wagmg.a campaign of hate against aliens and proposes to intenefe with them ,pnly If they are thought to be engaged in. subversive activities or dangerous propaganda.;■■■■ (2) Married men'have exactly the same chance, as otbersiof-securing employment through the-employment - office. A man’s ability ik the'first consideration, but other thlngs-being equal, a married man is given preference; (3) .There are fewer single men on public works now than there have been for years. Nine per . cent of public works employees have enlisted,' yrhich is a higher percentage by far than that obtaining in any other seddon of the community. Nine per cent.. of the regular staff : of the department have enlisted and 18 per cent. . of the -engineers, again an extraordinarily high percentage, The response has beep magnificent,' and I am - sure it yrill continue to be so. 1 do not propose-to govto the trouble of-having •a ' -schedule - to satisfy an anonymous correspondent, but I think thef'figures I-have mentioned.are sufficient to show that there has_ been tio ;.' side-stepping of responsibilities to- , want* the nation’s service in.this department.”]