MISMISSAL OF MEN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 126, 27 April 1940, Page 8

MISMISSAL OF MEN.

MINISTER STATES REASONS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, April 2G. The following statement has been handed to the Press by the Alinister of Public Works (Hon. R. Semple): “As I promised, I now make a very brief statement in justification of the action taken by me at the Haast Pass Road. 1 have been accused of dismissing a workman because lie had expressed different views from myself. I have already said such a statement is untrue. I had sufficient knowledge of the conduct of a tew of the men on this particular job to convince me that in the public interest their services should be dispensed with. ■ “In addition, I hold documentary evidence which I will be pleased to show to the national officers of the New Zealand Workers’ Union that reveals the fact that at least one of the group concerned boasted that he spent more time spouting lor Communism than working and that if ‘Twister’ Semple knew how little work he ivas doing lie would not 'last long. “In view of the conclusive evidence in my possession as to the conduct of these few men in deliberately shirking and impeding the work on the job, and pestering and hindering their fellowworkers by persistently preaching proforeign, anti-British and anti-New Zealand doctrines. I would be lacking in my duty as a responsible Minister of the Crown if I had not taken the action 1 took. The most pleasing feature of the incident was that my action was applauded by 98 per cent, of the men on the job, many of whom came to me after the meeting and personally congratulated and thanked me for the stand I had taken.”