MR J. H. THOMAS’ BOOK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 17 March 1937, Page 6

MR J. H. THOMAS’ BOOK

PUBLICATION OF MEMOIRS REFERENCE TO RESIGNATION LONDON, 27th February. Alter its last-minute withdrawal for corrections, caused by live insertions or the words “New Zealand” for “Newfoundland,” Mr J. 11. Thomas book. “My Story.” has been published. The book contains only one reference to the author’s resignation from the Cabinet, as tire result of allegations that he made premature disclosures of certain Budget information.

lii a preface addressed to his wife, Mr Thomas complains that he was “humiliated” by a morbid and sensational press. Mr Thomas alleges that, as a trade union leader, he was made scapegoat for the “Black Friday” of 1921, when the unions called off the national coal strike. He says the railway strike of 1920. when he was secretary of the railway union, was a blunder. The book contains a recital of the anxieties and troubles of the leaders of the general strike for 1920. While lie was Dominions Secretary. Mr Thomas writes, he learned that King George V. proposed, on account of ill-health, to abandon his usual Christmas broadcast. He went to His Majesty with letters from British’subjects overseas, who had expressed deep appreciation of the King's Christmas radio messages. Mr Thomas says lie emphasised to King George the disappointment which these subjects would feel if the broadcast wcie dropped. The King read some of the letters, nodded, and said simply that he would go ahead with the broadcast as usual.