UNTENABLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 16, 20 January 1933, Page 8

UNTENABLE.

MINISTER RESIGNS. HON. W. D. STEWART'S STAND. a UNABLE TO CONCUR." (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Prime Minister announced that the Hon. W. Downie Stewart had forwarded to him for transmission to the Governor-General his resignation as a member of the Executive Council and also of the Ministerial portfolios of Finance, Customs and Attorney-General. The resignation had been forwarded to His Excellency. Reasons Stated. "I can only say," said Mr. Forbes, "that I received Mr. Stewart's resignation with the greatest regret. With his formal resignation he sent me a personal letter, a copy of which I am handing to the newspapers for publication.- His letter sets out the reasons that have compelled him to sever his connection with the Government. He has found himself unable to concur in the decision on the important matter of policy which his colleagues believe to be in the best interests of the country in the present economic emergency, and finding himself in disagreement with other members of the Government, he has withdrawn from Ministerial office. Delightful Colleague. "I should like to say that, as Prime Minister, I could not have wished for a more loyal or delightful colleague than Mr. Stewart. His attainments and his ability, combined with his high personal qualities, peculiarly fitted him for the Ministerial position in which he has rendered signal service to his country, particularly in connection with the negotiation of the recent trade agreement with Canada and also at the Imperial Economic Conference at Ottawa and his subsequent visit to London.

"I appreciate the reasons which have brought about his resignation, and although he is retiring from the Cabinet circle, I shall always value the personal friendship which has existed between us, and I know will last until the end of the chapter."