MR. SEMPLE AT MEETINGS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 104, 4 May 1935, Page 11

MR. SEMPLE AT MEETINGS

ABSENCES EXPLAINED

NOT AN ATHEIST

"My opponents are making a feature of the meetings I missed at the City Council," said Mr. R. Semple, M.P., at Houghton Bay last night. "They are flogging this to death as the only thing they have 'on me.' I have confessed that I djd miss some meetings, but I was engaged in a national campaign for four months exposing, the position as revealed in the Native Affairs Commission. My opponents have never protested against Messrs. Forbes ana Coates going: for their third 'joy ride' round the world. "Mr. Fbrbes's first trip cost £ 10,000,' his trip to Ottawa £5000, and now there is a double.contingent on the way that will "probably cost £20,000. They have not protested at this waste Of money. "■*:'■ ' .' In- answer to a question at the meeting -of-wbinen addressed liy-him yesterday, Mr/ Semple ' said; that he was aware that there Was a whispering campaign to the effect that .he was an atheist. He had never expressed atheistic beliefs, indeed, he had said on countless platforms that if the people of the world followed the philop sophy of Jesus there would be no poverty, nor usury^ and no war, neither would there, be warmongers. " The strongest condemnation Jesus had ever expressed had been to usurers, whom He had styled "whited sepulchres." "I have and will to the. end of the journey, believe the teachings of ■Christ,"'concluded Mrl Semple.