APOLOGY MADE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 80, 15 January 1940, Page 6

APOLOGY MADE

MR LEE AND LABOUR PARTY, HIS ATTITUDE TO PREMIER. EXECUTIVE CONDEMNS ARTICLE. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, This Day. At a meeting of the National Executive of the New Zealand Labour Party, held here on Saturday, at which all members of the Central Executive and representatives ol divisional areas were present, with the exception of two. The following resolution was passed: “That the National Executive places on record its complete and emphatic disapproval of Mr J. A. Lee’s article in the December 6, 1939, issue of ‘ Tomorrow’ and of the disgraceful inferences and innuendoes contained therein, and declares Mr Lee’s action to be a definite breach of party loyalty and deserving of the severest censure and condemnation.

“Further, the National Executive reaffirms its complete confidence in Mr Savage as Prime Minister and congratulates him and the Government upon the manner in which the party’s policy has been implemented.” Mr Lee gave an assurance that he would in future comply with the decisions of the National Executive and the annual conference of the Party, and also undertook to issue a statement apologising to the Prime Minister.

EXPRESSION OF REGRET. AN “UNGENEROUS ARTICLE.” PARTY ASSURED 0:F LOYALTY , WELLINGTON.--Tliis Day. In a statement to the press Mr J. A; Lee said in regard to the recent article ho had caused to be published in “To-morrow;” that on consideration he had decided to say publicly that he regretted having published the article,.. which and not fair to the Prime Minister, and he was sorry that the . inferences of the article had .wounded the feelings of anyone • “Tijet greatest need of the time, lie said, “is a. united and strong Labour Government and while, with every member I have a voice in helping -to shape Labour’s policy I want to°assure everyone of my loyalty to the Government- and the party.”