Federal Minister Resigns Following Racehorse Deal

Northern Advocate, 24 February 1940, Page 7

Federal Minister Resigns Following Racehorse Deal

(Received 11.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. THE MINISTER OF CUSTOMS (MR N, J. LAWSON) TENDERED HIS RESIGNATION TO THE PRIME MINISTER (MR MENZIES) YESTERDAY FOLLOWING LABOUR CRITICISM OF HIS ACTION IN LEASING A RACEHORSE FROM MR W. J. SMITH, GENERAL MANAGER OF AUSTRALIAN CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES, TO WHICH THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO GRANT A MONOPOLY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF MOTOR CARS IN AUSTRALIA. Mr Lawson made a 700-mile motor dash from Sydney to Melbourne to give his resignation to Mr Menzies. Mr Lawson, in his letter of resignation, said lie felt his continuation as a minister would be an embarrassment to the Government.

“I entered into the arrangement* innocently without any thought that it would be subjected to the criticism which has since developed,” he said. “In order that such criticism should be allayed and the Government thereby should be enabled to devote its attention to urgent national problems, I convey my resignation.” Unfortunate Error. Mr Menzies, in his reply, said: “It is a regrettable thing a career which has been marked by such loyalty and hard work should have to be interrupted by an error not involving your integrity or Ministerial competence. “I cannot help thinking that if we all had to pay a similar penalty for. our mistakes few would survive the test. “Whatever mean and miserable suggestions may have been made by a small minority nobody who knows you will have any doubt that a fine and honourable man has been compelled by an unfortunate error to lay down the duties of his office.” Interviewed later, Mr Menzies said no pressure, direct or indirect, had been brought to bear on Mr Lawson.