ACTION DEFENDED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20254, 23 May 1940, Page 7

ACTION DEFENDED

WORKER’S DISMISSAL MR. SEMPLE OUTSPOKEN TRAITORS CONDEMNED (Per Press Association.) GREYMOUTIi, this day.. A vigorous defence of his action in dismissing a man from the Public Works at Haast Pass was made by the Minister of Public Works, the Flon. R. Semple, speaking at the opening of the first section of the Great South road at ICarangarua. "Never has there been a .greater libel on any public man in this country than the lie that I sacked a man at Haast Pass because he expressed his opinion.” declared the Minister. “I have SDent my lifetime fighting for liberty of speech and I will continue to do so as long as I live, but there is a world of difference between expressing one’s opinion and being treacherous to one’s own country. “These traitors are not fighting for freedom of speech. They have that already in the finest country in the whole world. They are fighting for license to give them the right to loaf, to wreck and to betray their own country. No Room For Traitors “If there had been a Conservative Government in power in this country,” said Mr. Semple, “these fellows would have been put behind bars long ago. The man I dismissed at the iHaast Pass was one about whom I had documents to prove that he was a direct ambassador of a foreign Power and that he definitely swore allegiance to that foreign Power and hatred againt the British Commonwealth. “Do you think that he ought to be allowed to work on public works or anywhere else in this country? Voices: No! Mr. Semple: If he had been in Germany and had written a document like" that, he would have been shot before dawn. If he wrote the same thing against the powers that be in Russia, he would he dead before morning. If I discover any more of this treacherv, I will repeat the dose. I hone that the Haast Pass fellows have not any sympathisers here.” Voices: They have not. Mr. Semple: I am glad to hear that. There is no room in this country for traitors, however much room there might be for us to differ. Criticism is helpful, even to a Minister, but treachery againt the nation cannot be tolerated in this country. (Applause.) “Holland and Norway,” continued Mr. Semole, “had their traitors inside to help the enemy, and look where they are now. There are some of the same sort of individuals here, too, and if thev are found out, I hope that they will toe kicked right out of New Zealand. Offer of Fare Mr. Semple made reference tri his offer to contribute the cost of the fare of anyone who wanted to go to any of these foreign countries and write documents of hate against them as they had done against New Zealand, in which they lived. “But they have not taken up my challenge. They know that they dare not do it, because they would be shot without trial. “I would not be doing my duly to the country if I allowed spies or traitors to write to foreign Powers pledging themselves to those Powers and declaring hate against their own country. Now, ail of you go and tell that to your mates.” (Applause.) “The documents to which I have referred I am prepared to produce before any properly constituted tribunal." concluded the Minister, who was accorded a warm ovation.