Demand For Suspension Of Cabinet Minister

Chronicle (Levin), 4 June 1948, Page 5

Demand For Suspension Of Cabinet Minister

Received Thursuav, 7 p.m. UANBERRA, June 3. Demands for a lioval Coiuinission oi Inquiry and the immediate .suspension of the .Minister of External Territories, -M r. E, J. Ward, because of allegations arising from tlie Ganlen trial, were made bv Opposition members in the Ilouse or Representatives today, Biuntly rejecting tioth demands, 2Yli. ( 'iXilley said: "I am not prepared to lake the word of a couvicted criminai or of any larrikin Jawyer. 1 am satisficd as to Mr. Ward's complete honcsly. ' ' .Mr. Ward entered the House during Ihe debate and hurriedly confei'i'ed vvith Mr. Chifley. Ile did not speak but in-terje.-ted heatedly: "1 am not afraid oi' any inquiry. I will be eleaned np before it i> linished. You know my hanris are tied. ' ' The Opposition attack was lannched b\ a joint statemeut by i\Ir. Menzies und .Mr. Fadden, that they were >t rongly of opinion that Mr. Ward .-houhi not be left in eontrol of his department while the jiulicial investigation of his administration of it v, as proceeding. They added that they did not wish to express an opinion upon the guilt or innoeenee of any person roiinerted with the pending litigation. Duriug a discussion on supply, -a l.ilteral lneiiiber, Mr. Cameron, said it vmi a time honoured practice when a Minister 's administration was questioned, for liim to relinquish office pendiuy the inquiry. He suggested that Mipply should be refused until Mr. Ward either resigned or was suspended from Cabinet.