MR. BARNARD’S ACTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 April 1940, Page 7

MR. BARNARD’S ACTION

PREMIER’S SUGGESTION SURRENDER OF SPEAKERSHIP AND SEAT. IN ACCORDANCE WITH CODES OF HONOUR. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. The resignation of the Hon W. E. Barnard. Labour M.P. for Napier and Speaker of the House of Representatives. from the New Zealand Labour Party, was received last evening by the Prime Minister. Mr Fraser. Mr Barnard's letter, copies of which were published in the Press yesterday morning. reached the Prime Minister at 6.5 p.m„ just before the conclusion of a meeting of Cabinet. Mr Fraser subsequently stated that the letter would receive his consideration and that he would forward a reply to Mr Barnard in due course.

In an interview in the early afternoon. before he had received Mr Barnard's letter. Mr Fraser stated that a copy of the letter had been read over to him by a Hawke's Bay editor, whom he had asked whether Mr Barnard had mentioned in the letter that he proposed to follow the logical and honest course and resign his seat as member for Napier, and recontest it against a Labour candidate. "This question.” said Mr Fraser, put by me last night, and as I have' not yet received the letter I cannot comment upon it in detail. It would appear, however, that Mr Barnard. no doubt inadvertently, omitted any reference to his intention to tender his resignation as member for Napier—to which seat he was elected as an endorsed candidate of the Labour Party—or any reference to th? Speakership, for which position he wac again nominated by the Government party, and to which he was qlected on the motion of the late Prime Minister, the Rt Hon M. J. Savage. “I have no doubt." concluded Mr Fraser, “that these omissions will, be rectified at the earliest possible moment in accordance with ordinary codes of honour.”

NAPIER RESOLUTION

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) NAPIER, April 8.

Confidence in Mr Barnard as M.P. for Napier was expressed by a majority of two to one at a meeting of the Napier branch of the Labour Party tonight. Mr Barnard’s resignation from the party was fully discussed and the following resolution was carried: — “That this branch of the New Zealand Labour Party, having fully considered the action of the member for Napier, Mr Barnard, and of the reasons therefor, endorses the step "he has taken and affirms its confidence in him as a loyal and efficient representative of the Labour movement and assures him of its wholehearted support.” MR. J. O’BRIEN’S VIEW (By Telegraph—Press Association.) GREYMOUTH, April 8. Commenting on Mr Barnard’s resignation. Mr J. O’Brien, M.P. for Westland, said: “I definitely do not agree with his attitude. I regret very much the step he has taken. If there is anything in the Labour Party Mr Barnard considers should be rectified his place is in the party, not outside it.”

CABINET AND CAUCUS STATEMENT BY MR C. CARR. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) TIMARU, April 8. In an interview Mr Clyde Carr, M.P.. commented on the resignation from the official Labour Party of Mr Barnard. Mr Barnard’s action, he said, did not come as a complete surprise to him, though he had endeavoured to dissuade him from taking it for the present, at least, as ho himself had not yet abandoned, hope of helping to influence the party from within to preserve its integrity and of helping to hold the party together and maintain it in office. *

“I have the highest regard," said Mr Carr, “not only for Mr Barnard's lofty ideals and high character, but for his well-balanced judgment.” To his knowledge Mr Barnard felt with increasing regret that the party in power no longer followed the ideals that had led him to join it nor were its members adequately carrying out the policy and principles with which they went to the country and on which they were so decisively returned at the past two elections. Mr Barnard had been particularly influenced of late by the method of Mr Lee's expulsion at the recent conference of the party. Whereas two genuine amendments had been rejected by the president, Mr James Roberts, as direct negatives, the motion to expel Mr Lee was taken without notice, was not on the order paper and had never been before the agenda committee or the delegates. The whole discussion, moreover, had been taken in committee. yet a prejudiced report had appeared in the party's official journal next day on the authority of Mr Wil- j son, M.L.C. Mr Barnard had been further influenced strongly by the attitude of Mr Fraser in the recent caucus of the Parliamentary Labour Party when he had declined to accept a motion before the election of a leader for democratic control within the party, and had further refused to take the elec-

tion of the leader by secret ballot on the preferential system, this in spite of the fact that the Labour Party's constitution established this as the method for electing its national and local body officers. Mr Fraser had. Mr Carr went on. given an undertaking that the matter of additions to Cabinet would come before caucus in six weeks' time, and that in November or December an opportunity would be given of electing Cabinet by caucus, subject to his final acceptance of the personnel. As Mr Fraser had twice assured caucus that he did not wish to be a dictator, on the first occasion before the lamented death of Mr Savage. Mr Carr said that he and other members were prepared to give Mr Fraser every opportunity of proving himself and redeeming his promises. Mr Barnard had. however, decided to make the break now. The best wishes of all democratic ally- and fair-minded people would go with Mr Barnard. Mr Carr concluded.