“THINK I’VE HAD IT”

Evening Star, Issue 25895, 12 September 1946, Page 6

“THINK I’VE HAD IT”

MR WEBB ANNOUNCES CLOSE OF CAREER FINAL EULOGY OF THE MINERS (Special.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 12. A long period of uncertainty as to the political future of the PostmasterGeneral, the Hon. P. C. Webb, was ended in the House yesterday when he announced that he would not be a candidate at the General Election. Only three hours before making this announcement Mr Webb had been asked by reporters whether he was yet

in a position to state his intentions. His reply , was that he must first announce his decision to the national executive of the Labour Party. i . Rarely has the announcement of a Minister’s impending retirement been made in such unusual circumstances. The House, which was thinly attended, was discussing Ministerial replies to questions, and Mr Webb, speaking for only the second time this session, was defending the miners and calling attention to the increase in coal production. “ I don’t suppose I shall be here to speak on behalf of the miners again,” he said. “ I think I’ve had it. This is a jyoung man’s job, and I don’t propose to stand again. I hope that my successor, who, I think, will be Major Skinner, will get the same support as I did, and I am sure that he will give the miners the support the nature of their work warrants.” Immediately before making his announcement, Mr Webb had suggested that the'people of New Zealand should take their hats off to the- miners.