HOUSE OWNED BY MR BODKIN

Southland Times, Issue 23336, 21 October 1937, Page 5

HOUSE OWNED BY MR BODKIN

HELP FOR FORMER TENANT SOUGHT ATTACK MADE BY MR SEMPLE (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, October 20. Allegations that Mr W. A. Bodkin (Nat., Central Otago) had attempted to obtain Government housing assistance for a man evicted from a house which Mr Bodkin himself owned were made by the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) during the financial debate in the House of Representatives tonight. “The member for Central Otago came to my office about three weeks ago,” Mr Semple said, “and saw my private secretary. He made a very pathetic plea on behalf of a casual public works employee engaged on irrigation works in Central Otago. He said the man had been evicted from his home and made a request that I should find public money for the provision of accommodation for this man and his family.” Mr Bodkin: I made no such request. “I gave instructions to have the matter investigated,” continued Mr Semple, “and I discovered to my amazement that the worker was a married man with a family, that the man had received notice to quit his house and that the house was owned by the member for Central Otago.” Mr Bodkin: That is wrong. DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE “Every word of it is true,” said Mr Semple. “I have documentary evidence. If I were to accede to a request like that made by a Government member, I wonder what the Opposition would have to say about it.” Mr Bodkin: I gave the man £5O for the section and told him to apply for a housing loan. Mr Semple: I have had the matter investigated and I have all the reports. “You have not come to me for facts,” said Mr Bodkin, “and you have not got facts. I will , get a statement from the man himself.” A complete denial of the Minister’s statement was given by Mr Bodkin immediately Mr Semple had finished his speech. “The Minister has absolutely misrepresented the position and my action,” Mr Bodkin said. “I had for sale a house which for some years was occupied by this man and as soon as it was sold I told him I would give him a freehold section for nothing, advising him at the same time to apply for a Government housing loan. I sold the adjoining section for £5O and the one I gave this man was easily worth that sum. I said I would help him with finance and I left him a happy and satisfied man.” »

Mr Bodkin said that after he returned to Wellington he received a letter from the man stating that the Public Works Department had offered him single tents, following his application for tents to house him and his family while his house was being built. He had asked whether Mr Bodkin would interview the Minister and see whether it would be possible for him to rent larger tents.

“I saw the Minister’s private secretary,” Mr Bodkin added, “and the reply I received was that the man could get only the single type of tent. I understand he has since done so and is paying the rent.”