ATTACK MADE ON MR HAMILTON

Southland Times, Issue 23544, 25 June 1938, Page 8

ATTACK MADE ON MR HAMILTON

“THE TOUGHEST OF

THE GANG”

MR SEMPLE GIVES REASON FpR “FIGHTING”

(United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, June 24. “It is going to be a proper trial of strength—with useful people on one hand, and usurers on the other, said the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) tonight in discussing the general election. “People who want perpetuation of usury will align themselves together as never before and with all the influence of money, backed by a section of the Press, they will fight,” he said. “We must remember to fight hard, too. “That is why I am fighting now, when I ought to be home with my wife having a rest, but we realize that .we cannot win an election fight by sitting up in Wellington,” he continued. “People have become politicallyminded. Mr Hamilton has said that, but he was on the wrong track when he gave his reasons. He says it is because the people fear the Labour Government, but they are getting poli-tically-minded because they fear that Mr Hamilton and his crowd will come back. They fear the .return to clothes drives and soup kitchens. “I have known all the Prime Ministers of New Zealand since. Seddon,” Mr Semple said. “I have known Seddon. Ward, Hall-Jones, McKenzie, Massey—l knew him exceedingly well, because he put me in the cooler about five or six times—Coates and Forbes and the present gentleman at the head of the National Party, but I declare that I would rather have had any of them a thousand times than this new Leader of the National Party. He is the toughest of the gang. If you do not believe me, put him in and see. Do not say that I am vindictive or spiteful, when I say I would rather have Mr Coates than 10 Hamiltons. He has some good qualities; that man has none.”