MR. SEMPLE BEATEN.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16505, 5 August 1919, Page 4

MR. SEMPLE BEATEN.

BUT STILL KEEPS UP THE BLUFF; Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, August 4. Air. Semple, M.P., holds to his figures regarding the coal "stocks despite Mr. Al‘ vTlly’s denial, and says his Informants were men on tho spot, but he will not give their names. “I am still convinced,” Air. Semple said today, “that there is no nood for the present dislocation of tho railway service, and that there is not the shortage of coal which Air. M'Villy states there is. My point is that if a mr’-cr affects the general community - hey ought to know tho truth in connection with it. Tho only way to satisfy mo and a largo section of the community is to agree to forthwith set up a public inquiry.” GREY MOUTH, August 4. A meeting of the West Coast Labour Representation Committee, representing 2000 workers, passed tho following resolution; “’Hint wc support Air. R. Semple, M.P., in’ his demands for a public inquiry as to tho coal situation, as we arc of tho opinion that the shortage as alleged by. the Government docs not exist. AA'o would also pointout that on tho AVcst' Coast tho Government hare reserve stores in round figures of 3000 tons of coal without touching their ordinary stock, which also amounts to a very largo quantity, running well into four figures.”