MR SEMPLE REPLIES

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1932, Page 5

MR SEMPLE REPLIES

TO MR COATES OTTAWA DISPUTE CHALLENGE. [Per Press Association Copyright .) NELSON, November 30. Mtr R. SempTe, M.P., has replied to Mr Coates’ acceptance of his challenge that if any one could prove that, as the result of the Ottawa Conference, employment was going to be made for our people, lie would resign his seat and keep out of politics for the "rest of his Hie. Mjr Semple said that 'Mr Coates’ statement was no reply at all.

“The Labour party,” said Mr Semple, “has never criticised the Ottawa agreement insofar, as it applied to New Zealand primary products. The criticism of th e Labour party has been directed against those clauses which imperil certain of New, Zealand’s secondary industries and • which rob New Zealand of its independence in the matter of developing those industries which the Labou r party considered to be natural to the {Dominion. It is on this ground that the assertion that the agreement, rather than an’ add t 0 employment will reduce it, was based. If benefits are accruing, Mr Coates should explain how it i s that New Zealand butter has fallen on the London market! by approximately 20 l 9 per cwt. since the Ottawa Conference was opened, and how that, now although New Zealand has had a- ten per cent, preference against Denmark, Danish butter still continues at 'a level of about 120 s per owt.

“'The most effective answer, however,” said >Mr 'Semple, “was Mr Coates’ statement that next year New Zealand would be faced -with the' most difficult year in the history of the country. If 'Mr Forbes was right, what could be said for the Ottawa agreement?”