Resignation ‘decent thing’

Press, 24 October 1980, Page 1

Resignation ‘decent thing’

PA Wellington The former Junior Government Whip, Mr D. M. J. Jones, says he will cross the floor and vote against the Government on the divorce provisions in the Family Proceedings Bill. Mr Jones yesterday resigned his Whip’s post, which he has held for almost two years, on the ground that his view on that legislation, and his duties as. Whip, conflicted. As a Whip he is expected to organise members of Parliament to speak for and vote for Government legislation. His resignation was read to yesterday morning’s caucus meeting by the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon). The caucus then elected the member for Albany, Mr D. C. McKinnon, as Junior Whip. Mr McKinnon was one of two nominees for the post, but Mr Muldoon refused to reveal the name of the second person. It is believed, however,

that there were initially four contenders for .the post, but that two withdrew. Mr Jones told NZPA yesterday afternoon that he objected . to the provision in the Family Proceedings Bill which did away with adultery as a ground for divorce in favour of an all-encom-passing provision of “irretrievable breakdown" of marriage. ' “I -have maintained for some time that' I would cross the floor ’in the event of adultery’s not being continued as a ground for divorce,” Mr Jones said. “I have had no indication that the matter will be changed and so I felt it was timely, at this time, to resign as Junior Governmen t Whip. “A Whip is there to maintain discipline, to ensure that members do their jobs, and to ensure that members do not cross the floor. If I cross the floor, of course, I am‘setting a bad example to the other members and I felt

Mr Jones denied any suggestion that the leadership controversy, in which he had a public confrontation with Mr

Muldoon, had any bearing on .his decision to resign. Mr Jones, came out publicly -with;-tne assertion that Mr Muldoon : had sought the resignation of the Senior government Whip (Mr ’A. P. D. Friedlander) after Mr Friedlander had made it clear he wanted a change in leadership. Mr Jones threatened to resign if his colleague was forced to step down. The issue was defused after a conversation between Mr Muldoon and Mr Jones and the announcement that there had been a misunderstanding. Mr Jones said he believed his resignation from the Whip’s post would mean he could ’ adopt a more “active” stance on the Family Proceedings Bill. ' ■ . ' '

Mr McKinnon, aged 41, the member for Albany, was first elected to Parliament in 1978. lie is a real estate agency manager and farm supervisor and has been active' in party and debating circles in Auckland. ' ■ .

He told NZPA he had not actively sought the post until the “last 48 hours’! when several members had suggested he follow it up. They had assured him he would have the support necessary and; accordingly, he - had let his name be put forward. Mr McKinnon, who took over Mr Jones’s Whip’s seat when Parliament sat at 4 p.m. yesterday, will move into the office he will share with his senior Whip today. Mr Friedlander held on to his post as Senior Whip, in spite of speculation that it could be on the line after the leadership crisis. Mr Muldoon told journalists he had informed the caucus that. Mr Friedlander wished to stay on as Whip, and that ■he thought it was a- good idea.;

Meanwhile, Mr Jones occupies -the backbench seat of the member for Gisborne, Mr R. L. Bell, who is overseas.