APOLOGISE OR GO

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12904, 3 July 1936, Page 2

APOLOGISE OR GO

MINISTER’S DICTUM TO MOTUEKA MALCONTENTS. MR SEMPLE’S DRASTIC COMMENTS. “THEY SLANDERED MEU WHO PLAYED THE GAME.” (Press Association*. MOTUEKA, July 2. Tlio statement made by the Minister of .Public Works, the Hon; R. Semple, that he intended to deal with the malcontents employed on the aerodrome formation work had aroused wido interest throughout the district, and a hall holding Over GOO people was crowded out last night half an hour before the meeting was due to bo opened. The Minister reviewed the legislation of the past session and outlined the future programme. A unanimous vote of confidence in the Government was passed. Replying to the Motueka aerodrome workers in the course ,of his address, Mr Semple said that if the men did not withdraw the resolutions and apologise to the Government he would put them off the work or stop it altogether. “If 1 thought that men like these who have complained were responsible for putting me into power, I’d resign,” continued, the. Minister.. “What do you think of men with such a mentality who would pen such, resolutions as that after what I have told you P There are 18 or 19 resolutions. They must have had a brain storm and developed a form of spinal meningitis.” MEN ALREADY HAVE GUARANTEED PRICE. 1 In reply to a resolution suggesting that the Government, which had offered guaranteed prices to the farmers, who were not affiliated to the Labor Party, should give the workers a guaranteed minimum price for their labor, Mr Semples said the Labor Party, would be better off without them. Last month’s average to the men on the. Motueka aerodrome was 19s ».i pel day, and the highest wage paid was 23s 4d per day. It was a guaranteed price. “The minimum is Ids and the highest as much as they can make on the prices offered, ’ continued Mr Semple. “They castigate my Government and condemn iny engineers and department, arid they’ve got *.o get out. They send offensive resolutions and call me an outsider. What Minister, unless of the same spirit and spine as whitebait, would take it: 1 “All I’ve tried to do is to play the game with them. They are objecting to the farmer receiving a guaranteed price.” Most farmers did not receive 19/per day. He had seen'fanners and tlieif families come in tired and weary ac night, and had seen them in the tobacco gardens at Motueka at 11 p.m. with torches searching for caterI pillars. i CHALLENGE TO THE GOVERNMENT. “They call me a dictator, hut if they said that in Germany they would find their heads would be missing,” declared Mr Semple. “If they do no i withdraw those offensive indictments, they” 11 all get off the jobs. (Loud applause.) “I accept it as a challenge to my Government. Reformers have alwavs been defied and sometimes crucified, but when we get it from those who we've helped it hurts. “If they are men who will pull their weight and play the game as they should play it, they’ll find me friend. I have tried long enough to know the responsibility of every deed 1 commit, and all 1 ask the men on the public works to do is to' be men, libnest, truthful, and conscientious. The national income is not created for tlio few. NOT A HUMAN FOOTBALL. “I’ve been snatched from my wife’s sido six times and thrown into prison, to put into force the principles I’m now following. If anyone thinks I’m a human football to kick when they like, then I’m not going to let them. 1 haven’t come to cringe to this group. They lied and slandered men who have played the game by them. “The average on other aerodromes is 15s per day. It used to be 10s. From tiie 15s men I’ve got congratulations, but by these men on the 19s scale ! have been slandered* They'll take back those offensive resolutions and apologise to my Government or they’ll go. “I want a measure of goodwill and co-operation. Surely, in the name of sweet reason and British justice, I can expect it. I .have tried to do mv best. That’s all. If 1 could have done more,• then 1 should have done it. The mail who pulls his weight lias nothing to fear ffoin me.” STATEMENTS WITHDRAWN MINISTER INSISTS ON APOLOGY <Press Association \ NELSON, July 2. . Tlio Minister *>f Public Works, the Heir. B. Semple, Ill's afternoon received the following, telegram from the seereta.'y. of-the MotUoku aerodrome workers:—. “As tlio result of a ballot taken this morning, this sect-oil of the New Zealand Workers* Utroii withdraws unrosorvcdly all the- resolutions irefleeting on the M blister of Public Works hud tlio Government.” “But Fin not satisfied with that,” .said Mr Semple, when interviewed. “I demand an apology. If they don’t apologise, they will know what ■ to expect. I “I have made a, public pronouncement, and dd not iiltead to waver . from . it.” : ...