PREMIER’S REPLY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 113, 11 April 1940, Page 6

PREMIER’S REPLY

MR BARNARD’S LETTER. MATTER FOR EXECUTIVE. WELLINGTON, April 11. Containing only two sentences, the reply of the Prime Minister (Hon. I Fraser) to the letter he received this week from the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Hon. W. E. Barnard) tendering the latter’s resignation from the Labour Party, was deliveerd to Mr Barnard in Napier at 5.30 p.m. yesterday. Mr Fraser released a copy of his letter to the Press last night. It is dated April 9, and reads:

“I have to acknowledge the re-, ceipt of your letter of April l , which was delivered to me about 6 o clock on Monday evening, and beg to thank you for same. “Your intimation of resignation from the New Zealand Labour Party is a matter for the consideration of the national executive of the party, and, accordingly, I am forwarding your letter to the national secretary. Mr W. Moohan ’ CHOICE BY CAUCUS.

In an interview with the official Labour organ, Mr Fraser said that at the last caucus of the Parliamentary Labour Party from start to finish the whole of the business was in the hands of the members of the party. The decisions made at the caucus were arrived at by the decisive majority votes, and the selection of himself as leader was by an absolute majority that left no doubt as to the wishes ol the party. There was not a dissentient voice when, subsequent to the election of himself as leader, the caucus carried a resolution of confidence in him and pledged its loyal support to him. Mr Barnard, so far as he could see, was tbe only member who did not vote. “Apparently,” the Prime Minister added, “Mr Barnard is not prepared to accept Democracy when it does not suit him. The decisions arrived at in the caucus concerning Cabinet were made with Mr Barnard as the only dissentient.” WAR AND FINANCE.

Mr Fraser said that the whole question of New Zealand’s war ettoit uas discussed at the afternoon sitting of the caucus, the Alinister of Delence \Hon. r . Jones) making a lull, report on the question of New Zealand’s commitments both in men and money. . Questions were asked and answered, and there was not one dissentient note in the whole proceedings, nor was any objection made by any member. I‘or some reason which he was not aware of, said Mr Fraser, Mr Barnard was not present at the caucus during the discussion on the war effort, though he had been in attendance in the earlier part of the afternoon. Regarding the question of finance, Mr Fraser said that the Minister ol Finance (Hon. W. Nash) announced to the caucus that a committee on finance was being set up in accordance with the decision of a previous caucus. I his committee, consisting ol members ol the party, would examine the question of finance generally. Mr Barnard was one of the members selected by the Miiiister, and Mr Nash notified him of that fact on Thursday after the caucus rose, as the announcement was made during Air Barnard’s absence; Among other questions, said Air Fraser, that of the control of the Bank of New Zealand was part of the order of reference for the committee.

Regarding the question of the appointment of returned soldiers to responsible positions in the Government, Mr Fraser said that Mr Barnard's complaint could not be a reflection upon himself as Prime Minister, because he was only now engaged on the formation of his Cabinet. It was really a complaint against the late Prime Minister (Air Savage), who weighed up the qualifications of all the members of the party before selecting his Cabinet.

“The only curb placed upon Ah' Barnard that T know of,” Air Fraser said, “was his appointment to the Speakership. He is free to resign that position any time he likes.” AIR BARNARD’S ACTION. AVATERSIDERS’ CENSURE. Per Press Association. NAPIER, April JO. A stopwork meeting of 250 Napier watersiders this morning unanimously passed the following resolution regarding Hon. AV. E. Barnard’s resignation: “That this meeting of tbe Napier Watersiders’ Union deplores the action of Hon. AV. E. Barnard for his disservice to the workers of his electorate, and is further agreed that the honourable course for him to adopt is to resign his seat and recontest it against a true representative of the Labour movement. The union also desires to place on record its loyalty to the Prime Alinister and his colleagues, congratulating then) on placing service before self.” COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE. SERVICE FOR RECRUITING. Per Press Association. HASTINGS, April ]O. The following telegram has been sent by Hon. AA r . E. Barnard to the Prime Minister (Hon. P. Fraser):- — “In the light of to-day’s war news I v. ish to direct your attention to the offer three months ago of the members of the Select Parliamentary Committee on Defence, of which I am chairman, to assist, the Government in New Zealand’s war effort, and earnestly invite you to make use of the services of these members in recruiting aniLanv other helpful ways. The members of this committee are representative of Ivoth sides of the Hnirv. and all bar one are returned soldiers.”