“LOOK AROUND YOU”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 May 1938, Page 7

“LOOK AROUND YOU”

CANON GOWRING’S ADVICE TO NEW ZEALANDERS. CONTROVERSY WITH MINISTER CLOSED. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, This Day. “My advice to the people of New Zealand, for whom I have great regard, and among whom I have many friends, is Took around you,’ as many are doing.” This statement was made yesterday by Canon E. A. Gowring, of Bristol, who is in Wellington before leaving next week for England. Referring to his recent controversy with the Minister of Public Works, the Hon R. Semple, concerning drunkenness in New Zealand and waste on public works, Canon Gowring said there was ample justification for anything he had said. He had not, however, volunteered his observations. These were given at the invitation of an Auckland newspaper. The figures quoted by Mr Semple to show that drunkenness in the Dominion had not increased did not prove anything, said the canon. It was not a question of figures of last year, or any number of years, but of conditions as they were today. As far as he was concerned the controversy was closed. Canon Gowring added that, without an ample apology from Mr Semple for what he had said about him, he could not see his way to meet the Minister.

Speaking of Mr Semple’s invitation to accompany him on an inspection of public works methods, Canon Gowring said there was no necessity to take up anyone's time or to put anyone to unnecessary expense. "See for yourselves whither you are drifting before it is too late," he said.