MR HAMILTON REPLIES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 28, 17 February 1937, Page 6

MR HAMILTON REPLIES

Absence From Electorate Explained R1NERARY AL1[ERED (By Telesraph— Preas Aosoci&tion.) [ MASTERTON, Last Night; A hrief xeply to the complaint by Hon. R. Semple (Minister of Bublie IWorks) that he had been snubbed by Ithe non-attendance of the member fot Ithe district (Hon. A. Hamilton) whea Ihe visited the Wallace electorate, wa4 :made by Mr. Hamilton when he wae interviewed to-day* "The main answer to the Minister 'a complaint," said Mr. Hamilton, "i* that Mr. Semple changed his itinefary after his fir^fc intimation to me and aftor I had left InvercargilL Mr * Semple's initial intimation to me was that when in Southland he, • •was not going to visit myj electorate and I arranged according* iy for*the dieputations from my electorate to wait upon Hm in Invercar* giR. At the same time I informed himi that my electorate desired that he shouid pay it a visit. I thanked him for agreeing to this suggested change but it was not till I got to Wellington that I learned that he had agreed to spend a day in the Wallace electorate. Xlmmediately wired urgently and arranged an itinerary for hitn through Wallace. If he feels slighted at my absence I regret it because there was ua slight intended. Had I known at the. beginning that he was going to visit my electorate, I might have been able to fifc in my arrangements to suit. I would like to remind the Minister that we have to make our armngemenis ahead as well as he has. I would say further that I have had the privilege and pleasure of accompanying two Ministers, Mr. Webb and Mr. Fraser, , through my electorate when. an arrangement was made which was xnutually. satisfactory. On this occasion, unfor•tunately, I hadother arrangements that I could not easily alter. Mr. Semple says it is his first experience of L.liikind but. it is "possible that he may Have similar esperiences in futuro through no fault or desire of a member who is absent. I would much like to have been present to introduce and explain the objects of the deputations but I am well aware that the deputations can well put their case and I have no doubt they will treat the Minister with every ^courtesy and consideration while he is journeying through Wallace."