"NEATLY SHELVED”

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 201, 22 May 1936, Page 13

"NEATLY SHELVED”

Minister Objects To Remark BOARD MEMBER TAKEN TO TASK •'That means that it is neatly shelved.” Strong exception to this remark, which was reported to have been made by Mr. W. .1. Hoss, of the Makerua Drainage Board, when referring to a promise given by tlio -Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple, to provide a subsidy for work on Hood damage restoration, was taken by Mr. Semple when replying to a deputation from the board yesterday. The Minister said he did not want any bouquets, he did not even want thanks, because it was his duty as a Minister of the Crown to attend to such matters, but he wanted decent treatment and decent language from those he was trying to help. Mr. C. L. Hunter, M.P., introduced the deputation, which consisted of Mr. II Seifert, chairman of the Drainage Board, and Mr. N. 1. Neilsen, engineer to the board. Mr. Seifert said that the board wanted to go on with the Cooley’s Bend work, ami it wanted the Government to help it to raise a loan lor that purpose. It had gone to the limit with rating, and about £-1000 was required for the work to be done. Mr. Semple referred to the reported remarks of Mr. Hoss, and said be wished Mr. Boss bad been present, as he would like to tell him just -what be thought of him. "What he said was definitely insulting to me,” the Minister said, “X have never shelved anything in my life, and I am not going to start now. What I have said will be done will be done, and what I have said will stand. I have pledged the Government to a three-to-oue subsidy—the most liberal subsidy ever given to a local body in New Zealand. I made a promise that the Government would advance money at a low rate of interest, and that promise still stands. Who is this Mr. Hoss.'” Mr. Neilsen: A member of the board. Mr. Semple said that Mr, Boss should have been there. lie had said the matter had been shelved by the Minister, although everything possible had been done to help the board. He cculd not find the money; it was the board's job to sec Mr. Nash or the Treasury and arrange for that. ‘‘Have you gone to Mr. Nash or the Treasury?” he asked. Mr. Neilsen: No. Mr. Semple said that if the board thought that he could be bluffed a mistake was being made. He had dealt liberally with the board, and he wanted the board to deal liberally with him. Mr. Seifert said he did not remember Mr. Boss making the remark reported, and if it had been made it was the view of Mr. Boss only. The board did not suggest, in any way, that the Minister was trying to shelve the matter. They were not aware that they had to go to the Treasury for the money, Mr. Semple: I’ve nothing to do with the Treasury. Tour job is to go to the Treasury and get the money. Mr. Seifert: We weren’t aware of it. Mr. Semple: Well, why didn’t you come to me in a decent way?

Mr. Seifert said that only one member of the committee was responsible for the remark. Jlr. Semple: It was your place as president of the board to put him in i*is place. Jlr. Seifert: “I don't remember hearing it.” He went on to say that he was quite sure it was never the intention of the board to east any slur on the Minister. The board relied on the Minister’s promise, and knew that it would be kept if the position were cleared up. Jlr. Semple advised the deputation to see Mr. Nash and make arrangements about the loan they required.