WHY LYONS LEFT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 192, 18 July 1925, Page 8

WHY LYONS LEFT.

ADVISED BY lIIS FRIENDS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 17. The following statement about ilio departure ot Lyons was handed to the press to-night by Alt W. T. Young, secretary of the seamen’s Union, and .Mr P. Fraser, ALP.

“As the published report concerning the decision of Noel Lyons to agree to leave the Dominion voluntarily and his-subsequent release aboard the Moeraki this forenoon is likely to cause a wrong impression, it is only fair to Lyons that the I acts should be stated. Lyons is represented ns having himself initiated the negotiations for bis release because be- bad got tu'ed of gaol. '1 hat statement is not correct. The first step towards Lyons's release was taken by several of bis friends. Those friends, after mature consideration of all the facts cf the situation, came to the conclusion that no further good purpose could ho served by Lyons gaol and that it would bo foolish for him to serve nine months’ irnpritonmcirt if his liberty eon Id be obtained on the terms previously laid down by (he Government through the Attorney-General, namely, that he would agree to leave New Zealand. Llis friends interviewed Lyons at tlie Terrace gaol and advised him on the lines indicated.

“After discussing the position from every angle. Lyons at last decided that as he had as effective a protest against an unjust law as one man. single-handed could have made, and had directed attention to that unjust law’s operation, and. further, as thus his purpose was practically achieved, he would agree to leave the country. “This decision was then conveyed to the authorities, who rated as promptly and considerately as possible in making the necessary arrangements. As a consequence, Lyons was liberated on board the Moeraki this forenoon. AN AUSTRALIAN PROTEST. Received July 18. 10.10 a.in. ' SYDNEY. July 38. ■ The Trades and Labour Council decided to distribute literature in protest against the treatment meted out by the New Zealand authorities to Noel Lyons.—Press Association.