THOMAS LEAVES UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20967, 2 September 1931, Page 11

THOMAS LEAVES UNION.

- FAREWELL TO RAILWAYS EN refusal to resign office. DICTATES OF CONSCIENCE FORFEITURE OF PENSION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copy, iglit (Received September I', 9.45 p.m.) LONDON. Se; t. 1. ; , Mr. J. H. Thomas, who lias ret; ined his position as Secretary of State fo:, the Domiirions, has resigned his positio i as political general secretary of the Nat onal Union of Railwaymen, with which h<- has been closely associated for nearly 55 vears. Tiie largest branch of the Nat onal Union of F.ailwaymen in Derby, Mr. Thomas' constituency, assured him its full confidence in him. Mr. Thomas did not attend the Meeting, but sent a letter of resigns, ion. You have unanimously requested my resignation from the Government, Compliance with which would brand n > as a coward and a cad," he wrote. " I cannot and will not resign. My allegiance to the National Govern nent 'was .not hasty, but given in the si cere belief of rendering not only the best service to the railwaymen, but discharging 'my duty to the nation. " It is unfair to ask for my resign tion from the Government when you knjw I acted in accordance with the dictate s of niy conscience. Therefore I have no alternative but to sever my connection with the railwaymen. I love the rail vayinen and my union too much to a-peal against your decision. Good-bye." " I have resigned rather than be disf missed," was Mr. Thomas' only comi :ent. •Tears were streaming down his face fit is learned that the Trades Union Congress has decided that Mr. Thorn bs is not entitled to a pension. PLANS FOR ECONOMY. „ DISCUSSION BY CABINET. EQUALISING THE SACRIFIC!'. .Jjritinh Wireless. RUGBY, August 31. Tho Prime Minister, Mr. MacDo :ald, left Lossiemouth by aeroplane and rea :hed London in time for this afternoon's < abijiet Council. Thu Cabinet proceeded to the anal Study of the comprehensive scheme v hich is to be submitted to Parliament at the special, session next week. So far the only item of the proposals which has been disclosed and discussed is the suggested reduction of 10 per cent, in the unemployment benefit, apart from allowances; for children. When the official announcement o: the ..completed plan is made it is confidently V anticipated that it will be found to provide for an equitable distribution of i icrifices, in accordance with the Government's declared policy. The reports of the two sub-commit:,ees, one on the economy and taxation proposals and the other on Parliamentary procedure, were considered. It is anticij ited that the Cabinet meetings during the week will be devoted to studying s hese reports. They affect the final co-or ination plan, the central feature of whi h is to be the fulfilment of the Governm nt's pledge to balance the Budget. The Cabinet will make public the e sential features of its scheme for effecting drastic national economies at the earliest moment. An official announcement regarding the day of the reassembly of Parliament will be made soon. It is probable that the general expectation that the Housu of Commons will meet to-morrow week will ; receive confirmation. In political c rcles there is naturally speculation as tc the length of time the National Government will require to fulfil the task for whi ::h it .was formed. "Nobody can tell how long the Go ("eminent will be in office," said Mr. MacDonald, "but it is well to remember that the object was the re-establishmer it; of British credit. If that takes longer than is at present anticipated by some p-ople the nation will insist that the nece i3ary time shall be given to it. When that i 3 ' accomplished then let the nation havi< the choice, without let or hindrance, o' deciding which party shall provide its future leaders."

(WARNING BY FATHER.

MR. MacDONALD'S ADVICE. ',, .WHOLE PARTY TO BE FACi'.D. '[Received September 1. 8.15 p.m.! LONDON. Seit. 1. A political writer says Mr. MacD inald told his son Malcolm and other joung ' Labour members of the House of ComDons that the whole pai'ty was against them and they had better go with :fc„ in their own interests. Mr, Malcolm Mac Donald disobeyed, preferring to remain with his fathei., It 1 is understood that the son will probably be appointed Under-Secretary for tho Dominions. SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE. LETTERS TO MR. MacDONALD. BRIEF STAY IN SCOTLAND. Britiuh Wireless. RUGBY. Augu it 31. ' During his week-end in Scotland Mr. Mac Donald enjoyed and benefited from the brief change of scene and air, but was by no means free from the cares of office. He was frequently in tele'phonic communication with Donning Street and spent part of Sunday in i!rafting a reply to tho local Labour Party executive in his constituency of Sei ham, Durham. The Prime Minister has been deluged With letters from people of all classds enthusiastically praising him for the course he has adopted in the last few weeki. He has been particularly touched by many letters from unemployed people and Socialists, who have grown up ii:. the movement, who express a desire to play • their part on behalf of the nation. Commenting on these letters, whi :h he says have greatly encouraged'him in his determination to carry through his tasks as head of the National Government, Mr. Mac Donald said: " The spirit of sacrifice ;in all groups of the community is moving the nation. It is very heartening to those °f us who have undertaken this task, We hope to see it through to the end."