'For health reasons’

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33974, 15 October 1975, Page 19

'For health reasons’

f.X Z. Press Assn —copyright) . CANBERRA, ' October 14. Mr Rex Connor, who resigned from the Cabinet today, said that he did so for health reasons. Mr Connor made no men-i ;tion of the loans affair in a* [five paragraph statement) lissued in Canberra. His statement read: •‘As I had been elected by! the Labour Party caucus to! the Ministry, I felt I should! report to the caucus on the. (circumstances of my resignation. “It was important to alert' 'the caucus to the effect my I resignation would have in the' forthcoming constitutional crisis. “Following my recent ill-i ness, I was advised by myi doctor that I should resign' from Cabinet within the next: three months as consistent! over work had contributed to! imy illness.” j

I He said that the following 1 ■ resolution was carried in the < 'caucus today by 55 votes toil 24: “That Rex Connor’s offer'l of resignation be accepted with regret, and that we ; place on record the party’s ■ admiration for the assiduous :and dedicated manner in. [which Mr Connor has sought ,ito implement Labour’s policy! Jto reserve Australian owner-; t iship and control of its energy 'and mineral resources.” The statement’s last para-ji digraph said: “Leading Cabinet!] >,members, speaking in caucus,h lihad said that he had achieved!, ! more than any other member:, ■ of Cabinet in actually imple-u menting Labour’s policy, and. t would always be remembered!i ,jfor his achievements in the!, .'field of minerals and energy.”h I Mr Connor was admitted ton hospital just over three weeks! i •lago suffering from a viralii •|infection and has spent the i'last two weeks recovering at!: his home [; : He made a brief appearance): >; at Parliament House lasti’ ■ night to talk with Mr Whit-h

lam after the Khemlan: ■ declarations were made pub I lie but returned today to offei 'his resignation.