MINISTER IN SOUTH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 71, 23 February 1937, Page 14

MINISTER IN SOUTH.

MR HAMILTON’S COMMENT.

Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, Feb. 22

“There is only one further point which in fairness to myself I would like to refer to,” said the Leader of the Opposition (Hon. A. Hamilton) tonight, in commenting on Hon. R. Semple’s remarks at Queenstown. “Mr Semple said that he had advised me on January 19 that he was visiting Southland; this advice was by telegram. He also said he had advised me on February 5 that he had decided to change his itinerary, but be did not say that this advice was by letter. Had this advice to me been by telegram, which is the usual Ministerial method of advising a member, especially when there is urgency, I would have received this advice 'two days hefoi'e I left for Wellington. I could then have arranged his itinerary before I left Invercargill. Although lie wrote the letter on February 5, I did not receive it until I reached Wellington. This was liis fault, not mine, and 1 too was put to some unnecessary trouble by the Minister’s neglect to wire me immediately lie decided to change bis plans. I, however, am not complaining; it is Mr Semple who is complaining.”