MR THOMAS RESIGNS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1936, Page 5

MR THOMAS RESIGNS

PREMIER’S ADVICE STATEMENT IN COMMONS TO-DAY (United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright; LONDON, June 10. The “Daily Herald’s” political correspondent says: Air J. H. Thomas visited the House of Commons, but he did not appear in the Chamber, lie was closeted for fifteen minutes with Mr Ramsay MacDonald, who urged that the resignation of his seat was the only proper course for Mr Thomas to take. The “Daily Mail’s” political correspondent says: As the result of his talk with Air Ramsay MacDonald, Mr J. H. Thomas ha s decided to resign his seat. Air Thomas' will make a personal statement in the House on ■Thursday. Then he will announce his resignation. The executve of the Labour Members of the House of Commons have decided to question the Government regarding the alleged leakage of information respecting Newfoundland bonds as reported in the American paper, “Time.” It;is understood that the Government has already made inquiries in this regard. Mr N. Chamberlain (Chancellor of the Exchequer) may make a statement during Thursday’s debate. NO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS (Received this day at 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, June 10. , The Attorney-General has announced lie is not instituting criminal proceedings in respect to the budget leakages. The law required that unauthorised communications must he deliberate. If there were any doubt whether a disclosure were deliberate or inadvertent, accused was entitled to acquittal.

Moreover, the fundamental principle of criminal law i s that a jury snail act only on the evidence presented at the trial. It whuld be impossible to obtain a jury not familiar with tne findings of the tribunal and much of the evidence which the tribunal had considered.

It would be foreign to British methods if the information resulting from the exercise of the wide powers ot compulsory' interrogation such as a tribunal had, should he made the basis, of a subsequent criminal charge.

Air Baldwin indicated Air Thomas and Sir Alfred Butt would each maice a. statement to-morrow.

The “Evening News” understands Air Thomas met Mr Alton, chairman of the Derby Conservatives and intimated that lie intended to resign. Mr Aiton advised against such a step. Air,, Thomas is believed to have discussed the statement he intends to make in the House to-morrow with friends.

It will be brief, and will re-affirm that lie did not disclose budget secrets, and that his conscience is clear. ,