ATTACK RESENTED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 August 1938, Page 6

ATTACK RESENTED

HON A. HAMILTON DEFENDS MRS STONE NATIONAL PARTY RESOLUTION (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The recent attack by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon R. Semple, on Mrs E. L. Stone during a recent debate in the House was referred to by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Adam Hamilton, during his address to the annual conference of the New Zealand National' Party in Wellington yesterday. Mr Hamilton stated that Mr Semple had misconstrued his remarks, and in view of the attack made he proposed the following motion, which the conference carried unanimously:— “That this conference expresses its keen sense of appreciation to Mrs Stone for her work for the National Party. Further, in view of the unfortunate attack made on her by Mr Semple it expresses its utmost confidence in both her and her work.” Mr Hamilton said that in the House Mr Semple had launched a very fierce attack on Mrs Stone. During that statement Mr Semple had turned to him and asked for comment. He had replied that it was the first he had heard of it —meaning the statements to which Mr Semple was alluding. Mr Semple had entirely misconstrued his reply in saying that he had said that it was the first he had heard of her — meaning Mrs Stone. Of course he knew Mrs Stone. The Minister had made a very unfair attack. Further, Mr Semple had founded his attack on a statement made in a small journal published at the institution concerned. At no time had he (the speaker) disowned her, and he had the greatest admiration for her courage and her work.