NOT COMMITTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 250, 22 October 1935, Page 8

NOT COMMITTED.

N.Z. LABOUR PARTY.

ATTITUDE TO WAR. MEETING WITH MINISTERS. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. A statement relating to the report of his speech at Masterton in reference to New Zealand's attitude in supporting Great Britain in the present world crisis, was made to-day by the Minister of Finance, Mr. Coates. "At my meeting at Masterton yesterday," said the Minister, "I referred to the fact that Messrs. Savage and Nash, as representatives of "the Opposition, had discussed with the Prime Minister and myself the position arising out of the present crisis. between Italy and Abyssinia.

"In view of the fact that this statement appears to have been misunderstood I wish to make the position clear. In the desire to enable us to make the people, of New Zealand speak with one voice on an issue of such importance the communications which passed between the United Kingdom Government and the Government of New Zealand we showed to Messrs. Savage and Nash and discussed the matter with them.

"I want to make it clear that the Labour party was not in any way committed by this procedure or this discussion. A copy of the proposed bill to give effect to the Government's intentions was given to Mr. Savage in order that it might be discussed by a caucus of the labour party. It was understood that the communications between the two Governments were to be regarded as confidential."