“CHEAP AND VULGAR”

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20589, 29 August 1938, Page 6

“CHEAP AND VULGAR”

MR SEMPLE ANNOYED COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REMARK AN APOLOGY ACCEPTED (By Telegraph.—Press Association) BLENHEIM, Monday Events at the opening of the new Hodder River bridge in the Awatere district by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. siemple on Saturday took a surprising turn when the Minister made a strong attack on a member of the Awatere County Council, who was standing alongside him, alleging that he had been insulted. The object of Mr Semple's charge was Mr L. L. T. Bush who, incidentally, is chairman of the National Party for this electorate. At the July meeting of the County Council, when it was suggested that Mr Semple be invited to open the bridge Mr Bush remarked: ‘ Would you ask the county to pay his expenses to come over here and open the bridge.” Waving a newspaper cliping aloft, Mr Semple, averring that he had been a fighter all his life and never took an insult lying down, declared he had never "scrounged” on any county council or anybody else for expenses. “ I want to tell Mr Bush to his teeth that I resent this biter, vindictive and common insult.” Denying any political bias in his own dealings, Mr Semple added: “I want to tell you, Mr Bush, that your remarks were a common, cheap and vulgar insult. I want nothing from you or from the council. I resent your political insult and venom.” Mr Bush: Mr Semple, allow me—. Mr Semple: I don’t want to hear anything from you at this juncture. The county chairman intervened to explain that Mr Bush's remark was intended jocularly. Mr Bush also assured the Minister of this and offered to apologise for the remark w'hich was open to a wrong construction if removed from the context. Remarking that he would take no insults and was not afraid to put in the boot, the Minister accepted the proffered hand and the incident closed amid applause.