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Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 152, 12 June 1936, Page 5

Seat Resigned A DEJECTED FIGURE No Strength Left to Fight a By-election INNOCENCE REITERATED (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright) (Received 12, 11.30 a.iu.) LONDON, June 11. There was tense silence in the House of Commons when the Rt. Hon. J. H. Thomas rose to speak. He addressed the House for six minutes, and ended almost in tears. He said he had no strength left to fight a by-election. He sat down amid a few sympathetic cheers, then rose and walked dejectedly from the House in dead silence. Air Thomas said that no member ever addressed the House under such painful circumstances, and ho hoped never egain would a member be similarly placed. Referring to his resignation from the Ministry, he said ho felt sure the House would agree that he took the only course open. “I wished to make it clear to my personal friends that I intended to accept the findings of the tribunal without challenge, whatever they might be; not because a judicial body is infallible, but because I believe there is a no more impartial tribunal than a British judicial tribunal, and I felt that of this tribunal, however keenly I felt its report. never gave secbet away. “I am entitled to say, regardless of the report, that I never consciously gave a Budget secret away. I repeat that regardless of the tribunal’s findings. “To attempt to deal with some of my private affairs would be as painful to me as it would bo unfair to the House. Aly vices—if they are vices—always have been open and never disguised, even from niy own family.” Mr Thomas’s face bxamc more and more flushed and his voice Tess steady as ho proceeded. “J intend to resign from the House immediately,” he continued. “I thank all parties for their kindness and often generosity over a period of 27 years. I can only hope that during that long period 1 have made some contribution to what to-day is atmost the only bulwail. of democratic government in the world. “J would only say that no word of this debate can wound me more than I feel wounded. Nothing—nothing can ever be said that can humiliate me more than I have been humiliated, but I at least can go to one who has shared all my trials and troubles and who still believes in me in this the darkest hour of my life.” I Mr Thomas said he had no strength left to fight a by-election. He spoke for six minutes, and ended almost in tears. He sat down amid a few sympathetic cheers, then rose and walked dejectedly from the House in dead silence.