LIES ABOUT MR. SEMPLE

Grey River Argus, 8 March 1937, Page 5

LIES ABOUT MR. SEMPLE

LIQUOR IN CAMPS The Facts Stated (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 7. Steps which he has taken to pre'' vent the consumption of liquor in Pub" Itc Works (camps were outlined by Hon R. Semple to-day. Mr Semple said that a' statement had been, broad-’ cast that he. as Minister of Public Works before Starting the Turakina d’evia" tion, had purchased the hotel at -Fordell, and' that he had put his daughter and her husband in the hotel as “.duim mi'es” so that he (Mr Seniple) would receive the benefit of the earnings of the men. That statement had been broadcast throughout the Dominion, and it had come back to him. ■ “The facts are,” said Mr Semple, “I did not know that there was a hotel at Fordell till I went to meet the men employed on the job there a few weeks ago. I never in my life owned any interest in a hotel in, ; NeW Zealand or in any other country which I have been in, and I never -will. This statement has -been made at a time when I am doing my best to keep liquor out of the Public. Works camps of the country, and', if I had my way, I would close every hotel in close proximity to the Public Works.” Mr Semple said that, the following notice was displayed in all of the Public Works camps: “Any men found indulging in the following- practices are liable to- summary dismissal: (1) Drinking -to excess in any camp, or on any work under control of-the Department. (2) Behaving in a disorderly manner on the works. (3) Absenting themselves from -work without leave, or, when on the works, being to an unfit 1 state to do a fair day’s work through tho effects of intemperance (4) Brawling i'n camp.” . ’ The Minister said bo took the op" portunity to make this statement to combat, foul lies -that have been whispered about him in order to discredit him, although he was doing all. that he could do to prevent the entry of liquor into the Public Works camps, and had’ done more than any Minister had dared to do before.