Mr Semple Defends Action

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 121, 23 May 1940, Page 6

Mr Semple Defends Action

Dismissal of Man At Haast Pass NO SABOTEURS OR TRAITORS WANTED IN THIS COUNTRY Per Press Association. GREYMOUH, May 22. A vigorous defence of his action in dismissing a man from public works ut llaast Pass was made by the Minister of Public Works (Hou. It. Semple) when speaking at the opening of the first section of the Great South Road at Karaugarua. Mr. Semple's remarks drew warm applause from a crowd of over 230, which included a large number of men employed on South Westland Public Works. After referring to the present critical position of the British Commonwealth of Nations, Mr. Semple said that iu some corners of New Zealand, there were individuals who would bow to Hitler. “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 ho expressed his I opinion,” declared the Minister. “I have spent my lifetime lighting for liberty of speech and 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 j one's own country. These traitors are ; not lighting 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. If there had been a Conservative Government in power in this country, these fellows would have been put behind the bars long ago. “The man I dismissed at Haast Pa«s was one about whom I had documents to prove he was a direct ambassador of a foreign Power, and that he definitely swore allegiance to that foreign Power and hatred against the British Commonwealth. Do you think he ought to be allowed to work on public works of anywhere else in this country Voices: No!

Air. 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-bc in Russia, he would be dead before morning. If I discover any more of this treachery, 1 will repeat the dose. I hope more Haast Pass fellows haven’t any sympathisers

Voices: They haven’t! Mr. Semple: I cm 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 against the nation can’t be tolerated in this country. (Applause.) Holland and Norway 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 they are found out, I hope they will be kicked right out of New Zealand. They are living in a country which has the maximum freedom and the highest standard of living in the world.

“The Government of Nkw Zealand has done more than any other Government in the world to look after aged, children, mothers, cripples and the workingman. If I knew any country where one got more freedom than here, I would buzz off to it in five minutes, but I don’t. I have been trying to find out the rights aDd wrongs of the world in my day and generation. L don’t know of a better country. Jt

there are better places, why don’t they go there, anyhow?” (Applause.) Mr. Semple made reference to 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 they dare not do it, because they would be shot without trial.

“I wish merely to make an explanation. Because most of j-ou men are working for the Public Works Department, no doubt some of you thought I was beginning to develop into a despot and victimising men. That is, of course, if you believe what you read in anonymous correspondence in the daily papers. I would not be doing my duty to the country if 1 allowed spies or traitors to write to foreign Powers pledging themselves to those Powers and declaring hate against their own country. Now all of you £o and tell that to your mates. (Applause.) The documents to which I have referred I am prepared to produce before any properly constituted tribunal.” The Minister was accorded a warm ovation.