MR SEMPLE AND HIS CRITICS.

Otaki Mail, 5 March 1919, Page 4

MR SEMPLE AND HIS CRITICS.

MEETING AT CHRISTCHURCH. A RESOLUTION OF CONFIDENCE. Christchurch, March 3. Mr R. Semple, M-P., addressed n very large audience on-Sunday night, replying to criticisms of .his speech a fortnight ago. The following motion was carried:— “That, having read the charges made against Mr Semple, by Mr KU, -M.P., and the press of the city, and having heard Mr Semple in defence, this meeting, places the utmost confidence in Mr Semple as a member of-Parliament-and a representative of-the working class.” The meeting was very orderly.

The Hon, X T. Paul. M.L.C., President of the Labour Party, at a meeting in Christchurch on Friday, at which were given addresses on “Labour's Policy,” read the following statement which, he said,-lie had-written, so that there could be no misunderstanding:— “The New Zealand Labour Party has a definite platform and well-defined political principles. Neither the principles nor the practices of the Soviet government (the Bolsheviki); neither the principles-nor the practices of the Sparacusans (whatever they may be); neither the principles nor practices of Sinn Eeinism are the principles nor practices of the New Zealand Labour Party. V.’e stand for a platform of definite proposals, and we told the people what these proposals were in our printed platform and constitution. The revolutionary movements in other countries are the direct product of the economic development and social disease of-those countries. Their development and -social diseases are fundamentally and totally different, and consequently require totally different treatment. Thai is why the New Zealand"Labour Party is a constitutional -party pledged., to constitutional methods and a definite' programme. ”