RUMOUR REFUTED

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 13 October 1931, Page 9

RUMOUR REFUTED

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

MR, BODKIN WILL RESIGN SOON

An emphatic denial can be given to a statement published outside Wellington that Mr. W. A. Bodkin had refused to resign his position as Chairman of Committees in the House of Representatives, says the “Dominion.” Some time ago Jlr. Bodkin placed himself in the hands of the Prime Minister, and he is still prepared to hand his resignation to Mr. Forbes should the Coalition Government desire to make any change in the chairmanship'. It is now known that when the negotiations for the formation of the Coalition Ministry were almost complete Mr. Bodkin was asked by the Prime Minister to hand in a formal resignation so that the new Cabinet would have a free hand in filling the positions to which it would have power to make appointments. This resignation was prepared, it being then understood that the position woidd be given to Mr. S. G. Smith in recognition of his isevvices as Minister of Labour. In the meantime, however, complications arose, and Mr. Bodkin was requested to continue in the position as chairman for the time being. It is understood that tlieso complications have now been almost disposed of and that Mr. Bodkin will shortly resign to make way for the appointment of Mr. Smith, although members on all sides of the House have requested Mr. Bodkin to hold on to office The position taken by Mr. Bodkin, however, is that he gave an undertaking to the Prime Minister and he intends to honour it. For that reason he will resign when requested to do so.