MR LEE’S APOLOGY

Grey River Argus, 16 January 1940, Page 11

MR LEE’S APOLOGY

TO PRIME MINISTER After Executive’s Censure WELLINGTON, January 15. In a statement to the Press, Mr J.A. Lee M.P. said, in regard, to tlie recent articled he had caused to oe published in “To-morrow,” that on consideration, he had decided to say publicly he regretted haying published the article, which was ungenerous and not fair to the Prime Minister, and he was sorry that the inference of the article had wounded the feelings of anyone. “The greatest need of the time,” he said “is a united and strong Labour Government, and, while with every member I have a voice in helping to shape Labour’s policy, I want to assure everyone of my loyalty to the Government and the party.”

Emphatic Disapproval NATIONAL EXECUTIVE’S RESOLUTION. WELLINGTON, January 15. At a meeting of the national executive of the New Zealand Labour Party, held in Wellington on Saturday last, at which all members of the central executive and divisional area representatives were present, with the exception of two, the following resolution was passed: That the National Executive places on record its complete and emphatic disapproval tu Mr J. A. Lee’s article in the December 6 1939, issue of “To-morrow, and of the disgraceful inferences and innuendoes contained therein, and declares Mr Lee’s action to be a definite breach of party loyalty, and deserving of the severest censure . and condemnation. Further, the National Executive reaffirms its complete confidence in Mr Savage as 'Prime Minister, and congratulates him and tne Government upon the manner in which the Party’s policy has been implemented. Mr Lee gave an assurance that ne would in future comply with the decisions of the National Executive, and the annual conference of the party, and he also undertook to issue a statement, apologising to the Prime Minister. „ __ AUCKLAND, January 13The meeting convened here to consider the position of Mr J. A. Lee, M.P., was held in the Labour CUihr It was addressed by Mr Lee in the earlier stages, and by a number >Ol □rominent local figures in the Labour movement. Delegates Jrom unions and branches also voiced the views of thru organisations. The proceedings were private and no official statement, as nJ? made on what took place. The chairman, Mr J. Sayegh, president of the Labour Representation Committee, declined to comment on the result, and Mr'Lee also said that he had no statement to make. It is understood that much plain speaking was indulged in, and, that, both sides of the controversy were argued at length. One delegate stated after the meeting that an important issue had been the relations between Mr Lee and Cabinet and his right to express his political views withdut hindrance from those whose outlook was more conservative than his.

Another delegate said that the specific question before the meeting would certainly come up at the. Easter Conference of the Labour Party, though the motion to refer it to the national executive had been defeated. On his arrival in Auckland to attend the meeting Mr Lee said ! he was “in better fighting <jr hanging weight’” than since his .enlistment in the last war. While not prepared to comment on the meeting Mr Lee did say he “preferred to be shot in the chest fighting for his principles than to be shot in the stern while deserting.” x