MR. THOMAS’S RESIGNATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 June 1936, Page 7

MR. THOMAS’S RESIGNATION

PRESS COMMENTS

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, June 12

The Press throughout the country deals sympathetically with Mr. J. H. Thomas. The papers say they believe any inquiry will have good results. They pay a tribute to the dignity and humaneness of the House of Commons in a painful duty. “The Times” says: The House of Commons is the least vindictive assembly in the world. It requires expiation when standards of public conduct are violated, but when expiation is made, it tolerates no attempt to ex(Oi bate the wound. Mr. Thomas repeated his fienial that he consciously betrayed a Budget secret. The House was free to accept, and did accept, his disclaimer, since the Tribunal refiained from any such imputation; and the country will be satisfied with th-- word of so well-known and trusted a public servant. On the other hand, Mr. Thomas, in loyalty to the House and to its Tribunal, accepted the findings, which the House also accepted. Mr. Thomas remains, therefore under the imputation of betraying a Budget secret, even inadvertently, and the Parliamentary code requires his immolation, even for so venial a transgression. Mr. Thomas, by resigning his scat, gives adhesion to the code. The “Daily Herald” commends the Labour Party for its effort to turn the situation to the public advantage. It says: Where a cleaning is wanted is in the City of London! Tne “Manchester Guardian” says: The public will feel the greatest sympathy for Mr. Thomas, but, to most people, tho really disturbing thing is tho revelation of the length to which the gambling spirit will go, and of the City of London’s facilities for it.