NO QUESTIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 81, 3 October 1938, Page 6

NO QUESTIONS

MR. SEMPLE'S STAND

"A Minister of the Crown does not answer questions." This statement was made by the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) in an address 'it Tuatapere, says the "Southland Times." He made it in reply to an interjector who claimed that the Minister had said he would answer questions at the end of his address. Mr. Semple said he would answer no questions at all, particularly from an offensive questioner. He denied stating that he would answer them. j A voice: Mr. Semple, a little time ago you said you'd give farmers . j Mr. Semple: Til answer no questions. The interjector tried to speak again, but his remarks were drowned by cries of "Sit down." Another interjector:. Freedom of speech. The crowd was not in the mood to listen to anyone but the speaker, however, and. Mir. Semple continued. H* said he would answer questions in his own electorate, but was not prepared to in "another man's district." That was the candidate's job. He emphasised that he was not afraid of questions —he was capable of ' answering any, nor was he "running away." He was just following a recognised policy; he had come to give an account of the stewardship of the Government. Loud applause greeted the speaker's remarks.