MR. CARR'S COMMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 84, 9 April 1940, Page 13

MR. CARR'S COMMENT.

REASONS FOR RESIGNATION.

"XOT A COMPLETE SURPRISE."

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) TIMARU, Monday. Commenting on the Hon. W. K. Barnard's resignation from the otlici.il Ixibour party, Mr. C- L. Car.-, M.P. for Tiniaru, said Mr. Barnard's action did not come as a complete surprise to him, although he ha J endeavoured to dissuade hitn from taking it for the present at least.

Mr. Carr said that to his knowledge Mr. Barnard felt with increasing regret that the party in power no longer fit 1 lowed the ideals that had led him to join it, nor was it adequately carrying out the policy and principles with which it went to the country and on which it was so decisively returned at the past two elections. Mr. Barnard had been further influenced strongly by the attitude of the Hon. P. Fraser in the recent caucus of the Parliamentary Labour party when he had declined to accept a motion, prior to the election of the leader, for democratic control within the party, and had further refused to take the election of leader by a secret ballot on the preferential system.

As Mr. Fraser had twice assured caucus that he did not wish to be a dictator, on the first occasion prior to the lamented death of Mr. Savage, Mr. Carr said he and other members were prepared to give Mr. Fraeer every opportunity of proving himself and redeeming his promises. However, Mr. Barnard had decided to make the break now. The best wishes of all democratically and fair-minded people would go with Mr. Barnard.