MR. SAMPLE'S SON

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19128, 24 September 1936, Page 6

MR. SAMPLE'S SON

TRAFFIC APPOINTMENT QUESTION ASKED IN HOUSE MINISTER'S REPLY A rumour that the son of the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, hart been appointed to a position as an inspector in bis father's department was mentioned in the House of Representatives on Tuesday night by Mr. S. G. Holland (Opposition, Christcluirch North) during the debate on the public works statement. Mr. Holland asked the Miniister to confirm or deny the rumour. "I want, to ask the Minister if it is icorrect, as rumour has it. that bis son has been appointed a traffic inspector in .the department." Mr. Holland said when referring to the high .standard maintained in the staff of the Highways Department. "If it is true, I hope the ;appointee will be able to maintain the high standards of the department. 1 suwgest that the Minister might be able 'to tell us if the rumour is true. 1 am jnot saying anything against the appointmerit." Tlie son of a Minister has the right of such appointment if be lias the necessary qualifications." The Minister of Labour, the Hon. IT. T. Armstrong: Then what are you squealing about? Mr. Holland : I am not squealing, or anything like it. lam simply asking the Minister to confirm or deny the rumour 1 have mentioned, and to say whether he thinks his son has the qualifications. "PALTRY PERSONA L COMMENT"

Mr. Semple said he was sorry thai Mr. Holland's references to the personnel of the department, which bad been very fair for the most part', had descended to the paltry level of personal comment. "Let me say Ibis," continued Mr. Semple, "if there is any insinuation in the honourable member's question that I used my personal influence as a Minister of the Crown to get my sou an appointment to the staff of the department, I can assure him that I would not stoop to such a, practice.'' Mr. Holland: I never made any such suggestion. Mr. Semple said his son. like any other citizen of New Zealand, bad the right to ma'ke application for any position. If he co'nld get there on hid merits be was entitled to the appointment, in the same way as any other applicant..

FIFTEEN YEAR'S EXPERIENCE The Public Service Commissioner had appointed his son on his merits, continued Mr. Semple, because he possessed the qualiiieatioi*; of 15 years' experience in the kind of work specified for the position.

"I have had nothing to do with the appointment whatever," said Mr. Semple. "1. would not stoop to give any '•dative of mine a push against somebody else. I would not do thai for even my 'own flesh and blood. Is I.he honourable member satisfied?" Mr. Holland: Perfectly.

Mr. Semple said be had climbed to his present position on bis own merits, and he expected his son to make bis way on bis own merits also.