RESIGNATION OF M.P.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20520, 22 March 1930, Page 12

RESIGNATION OF M.P.

(DECISION OP MR. JENKINS

! [BY-ELECTION IN PARNELL.:

) MEMBER TO STAND AGAIN. ' POLITICAL FAITH CHANGED. * CABINET-MAKING INCIDENTS. A by-election in the Parnell electorate has been/necessitated by tho decision of Mr. H. R. Jenkins, the sitting member, to' resign with a view to re-contesting the seat. Mr, Jenkins' action is a sequel to his secession from the United Party, and is animated by the desire to be fair to those electors who may have voted for him at the general election in 1928 because ho was the official United candidate. Mr. Jenkins' announcement of his decision yesterday has come as a surprise, and it is yet too early to forecast the candidates likely to contest the seat with him. However, early indications are that there will be at least three aspirants, and probably four. A formal letter, notifying that he was resigning his seat, was addressed to the Clerk of the House of Representatives by Mr. ■ Jenkins yesterday afternoon. The letter will arrive in Wellington this morn- <: iug. Reasons for Decision. The reasons actuating his. decision to resign' the seat were freely explained by ■ Mr. that Mr. Jenkins has a very pretty property. at Garden Road, Remuera, and since its purchase about two years ago he lias spent much time in clearing tho two-aero section, on which his residence stands, with a view to laying it out in attractive gardens. Mr. Jenkins, in gardening, garb, - was industriously wielding a Stytlie on a stubborn patch of blackberry when a Herald reporter called'to ascertain tno correctness of the report that Mr. Jenkins had resigned his seat. Thp member explained that he found great pleasure in gardening and xvished he could pivc more time to it. A putting green ho had started to lay out had " gone to pot" since ho took np politics. . " Since I addressed a public meeting recently in Remuera I have been ascertaining the feeling of my supporters on the question of resigning the seat," said Mr. Jenkins. " The great majority thought that there was no call for me to resign., but a small section expressed the ( view that I should. I feel that sonio electors may have voted for me because of Sir Joseph Ward's platform. Even if that section is only about 10 per cent, of the electors, or even if it is as low as ■ 5 per cent., I feel I should give them an opportunity to vote for a candidate of their own chocsirig." Cabinet Rank Aspect. Reviewing his recent resignation from the United Party, Mr. Jenkins said he had no alternative but to take that step. ■" The caucus asked me to withdraw my statements concerning the party, and I 1 certainly/could not do that and be trutli- ' ful." he .said... • The assertion that he had resigned from the party because he "Was piqued at not receiving Cabinet rank was emphatically denied by Mr. Jenkins. He said he ,\vas .actually in. the Cabinet as originally proposed, /but during a week-end visit to 'Auckland during the short session he decided that he would not accept office. He ■was not a polished platform man, and he desired to feel his way in the House before taking Ministerial responsibilities. The Prime Minister had asked him ;what portfolio he would like, and, as Mr. Jenkins had travelled considerably, he expressed a preference for the portfolio relating to the Tourist Department. Sir Joseph Ward said he would take the portibho in the meantime, the idea being that 'Mr. Jenkins should later assume it. Mr. 'Jenkins said 'he had never reminded Sir Joseph Ward of that understanding, or of-the further understanding that_ he should be chairman of the committee

■which it /intended to set up to investigate railway construction problems. It had been suggested by Mr. R. W. Hawke, "United member for Kaiapoi, that Mr. Jenkins, disappointed at not being in the Cabinet, had for that reason resigned from the party. Mr. Jenkins said ho had so fa.r not bothered to reply to that, statement, but it did not represent his position at a!L Mr.'Jenkins* New Banner.

"Asked under what banner he proposed to contest the by-election, Mr. Jenkins 'tlfirsfc. explained that unofficial overtures ihad recently been- made to him by the Re-form-Party. "If these overtures are suf-. ficiently .pressing I would consider standing in the interests of the Reform Party," said Mr/ Jenkins. If not, I will come

out as "an Independent Reform candidate, or as a straightont Independent. I want to say, however, that there is no collusion between Mr. Coates and myself in this, matter. I intimated to a Reform sapporter in "the Legislative Council a short time ago that I would consider standing as a Reform candidate, but I have not heard from Mr. Coates on that matter. iMv main desire is to see Reform and "United as one strong party in the House to stem the tide of Socialism."

On the assumption that the by-election would take.place in about a month's time, EMr. Jenkins considered there was no immediate hurry for him to start his campaign. Ho anticipated he would bold about 12 meetings.

" AS/ 1 -UNITED AS EVER."

MR. TAVERNER'S OPINION.

PLANS FOR COMING SESSION. [BY TET.KGRAPH.* —I'RKSB ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, Friday. Speaking at. a social gathering, tho Hon. W B. Taverner, Minister of Railways. said most of the legislation in the coining session was in preparation, and ihc Prime Minister would shortly announce jt...Tho,"United Party was as united as ■ever. -Vlr. Taverner trusted Sir Joseph ■Ward's health would soon enable liiin to lake a more active part in the government of the country. The speaker's. 12 months' association with Sir Joseph had confirmed his high opinion and affection for him// A motion of confidence in the Government and hope for Sir Joseph Ward's speedy restoration to health was carried unanimously.