'UNFAIR AND UNTRUE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 905, 24 February 1930, Page 11

'UNFAIR AND UNTRUE”

MR. JENKINS- HITS OUT DID NOT WANT PORTFOLIO

“It is both unfair and untrue to say that our dissatisfaction with and secession from the ranks of the Government is due to our disappointed aspirations for Ministerial rank.”

So said Mr. H. R. Jenkins, M.P. lor Parnell, to The Sun today, commenting upon a statement given to the Christchurch Press on Saturday by Mr. R. W. Hawke, M.P. for Kaiapoi. Mr. Hawke had said the disgruntled members of the party, Messrs. H. R. Jenkins, J. S. Fletcher and W. J. Broadfoot, had become dissatisfied because they were not given portfolios. “By our very attitude of criticism we had definitely slammed the door against any possibilities of appointment to Ministerial rank,” said Mr. Jenkins. “The public, however, would be justified in believing that men like Mr. Hawke, who blindly follow the party, no matter what it may do, are keen about Cabinet rank.” Mr. Jenkins said he owed his electors a plain duty. He disagreed with the Government on its railway policy and on many other points. “At any rate I will call my electors together before the end of next week, to seek their opinion regarding my attitude,” he said. “QUITE SATISFIED”

“The United Party is quite satisfied to lose me, providing I vote with it,” he continued. “However, I do not intend to do that. If it is necessary to vote on a no-confidence motion against the United Party to bring about an agreement with Reform, I will not hesitate to record my vote against the party.” 7 If Labour support was to be bought by the Government by lenient dealing with Labour tnesisures, he could not see his way clear to support the party. “I am hoping that the Government will become weakened by my attitude a»nd that it may be readier to discuss reason with Reform for the purpose of fusion,” Mr. Jenkins continued. “I fear, however, that the Government will attempt to hold office at any price. “Possibly on the other hand the Reform Party is not, in favour of fusion,” he said. “If one or two Reform members took up my independent attitude it would force the point to a decision.” i Cabinet would oppose fusion in any case. Many Cabinet Ministers had never held better jobs in their lives, and would prefer to “hang on” rather than ri3k “cushy” jobs in a fusion with Reform, when some of them would have to lose their portfolios in a redistribution. “Does the public know what a Minister’s salary and perquisites are worth?” he asked, pointing out that Ministers travelling expenses were fixed at £2 2s a day above their salaries. There was also £4 a week house allowance. A Minister travelling to Auckland for the week-end to attend some public function would collect £8 Ss travelling allowance. “The public can understand the reluctance of Cabinet Ministers, to lose this,” he said. I Referring to the statement given by him to the Press at the United Party caucus in Wellington, Mr. Jenkins stressed the fact that he had been guilty of no breach of confidence. He had told the Acting-Leader of the party, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, that it was his intention to give a statement to the Press. Then he had asked to retire, stating that the Government could reply by a statement to the Press. “I was prevailed upon to stay for a short time, while the question of my secession was argued out,” Mr. Jenkins concluded. “That had nothing at ail to do with the party caucus, which actually commenced after I left.”