AN ACT OF REPUDIATION

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 110, 7 February 1928, Page 10

AN ACT OF REPUDIATION

I Sir,—An act unparalleled iu the history of the British Empire has been perpetrated by the Bavin Government of N.S.W. in the removal of myself from my public office as member of the Meat Board, l.y Act of Parliament, in refusing compensation, in so framing the Act that successful action at the Courts is impossible, in making charges under the privilege of Parliament, and in forcing the measure through on purely party divisions. I was an independent Member of Parliament. I resigned, as is required under the Constitution, to accept from the Labour Government a seat on the Meat Board, at £l5OO per annum, for five years, appointed by the Governor-in-Council, acting under the power of the Meat Industry Act. The Bavin Government broke that contract by special legislation, on grounds that alleged that. Hie appointment was made by Hie Labour Government in a corrupt r anner. A dangerous ’■recedent has been created, and now exists, by which uo person making a contract with the State, is secure in , their tenure, will not be allowed compensation, and is outlawed iu respect to legal redress, if the Government, of the day desires to describe the particular appointment corrupt. A constitutional aspect also arises, 1 wherein a British subject is deprived of citizen status, and degraded publicly before his fellow citizens. This could possibly bo explained if I had committed any crime, failed in my duty on the Meat. Board, or broken any lawFor seven years prior to entering Parliament. I had combated Communism from the public platforms, and then was elected to Hie House as ( an Independent. Mv only crime, as I see it, was ; that I voted for Lalwur on Hie Censure motion, and the present National Government, actuated by political rovengo, used the instrument of Parliament for petty party purposes.—l am. etc., A. D. KAY, Justice of the Peace. Sydney, January 18. [Asked vesterdav whether ho could comment nn the. above letter. H)e Prime Minister of New South • Wales (Mr. Bavin, who is at present visiting Wellington. replied ! n the negative. He added that lie did not: propose to engage in public controversy with Mr. Kay.]