MR J. A. LEE, M.P.

Grey River Argus, 17 January 1940, Page 2

MR J. A. LEE, M.P.

Condemnation of His Action NOT RELISHED. WELLINGTON, January 16. “I do not know who supplied the comment which was published wnn the resolution of the national executive of the New Zealand Labour Party regarding myself,” said Mr J. A. Lee, in a statement. “The comment was not submitted to the executive prior to publication. “I did not give an assurance to comply in future with the decisions of the national executive and the conference of the party. These I have always complied with. I agreed to express regret in the exact terms of the message .1 have given to the Press, and I gave that message willingly.”

ONLY QUIBBLING.

SAYS PRIME MINISTER. WELLINGTON, January 16. “It seems as if Mr Lee is beginning to quibble already," said Mr Savage, to-day. “I am not in a position to say what promises Mr Lee made to the National. Executive, as I was not present;. I am informed, however, that he did promise to be loyal to the conference and National Executive’s decisions, and I understand he claimed that, at the same time, that he had always been loyal to such decisions, but if Mr Lee has always been loyal to the spirit and letter of the Conference and Executive, decisions, why was it necessary for the Nat'onal Executive to-carry the ; resolution, which has since been published, condemning his action? It is beyond me to understand,, a member of, a party who tries to destroy the selected leader of .the party as a. political force, and'Who will, go sp far as to attack that leader during illness, i and who, after apologising for his action, | will commence 1 again to question-, the' report of the position, issued on behalf! of the National Executive." I