NEAR TEARS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22444, 13 June 1936, Page 13

NEAR TEARS

MR. J. H. THOMAS RESIGNATION OF SEAT not standing again SIR A. BUTT'S EXIT 'ALL CHARGES REFUTED By Teleeraph—-Press Associntion—Copyright LONDON, June 11 As a sequel to the findings of the Budgpt tribunal, Mr. J. H. Thomas, formerly Colonial Secretary (National Labour, Derby) and Sir Alfred Butt (Conservative, Bolham and -Tooling), resigned their seats in the House "of-Commons to-day. Crowds of people had witnessed the arrival of Mr. Thomas at the House to make his statement on the finding that he had disclosed secret information. Mr. Thomas rose to speak amid tense silpnee. He said that no member had ever Addressed the House in such painful circumstances, and he hoped that never again would a member be similarly placed.

No Conscious Disclosure Made

Referrinc to his resignation from the Cabinet. Mr. Thomas said: "I feel sure the House p'ill agree that I took the only course open. I wish to make it clear to my personal friends that I intended to accbpt the findings of the tribunal without challenge whatever they might be, not because a judicial tody is infallible, but because I believe there is no piore impartial tribunal than n British judicial' tribunal and I felt that of this ,tribunal.

"However keenly I folt the report of the tribunal, I am entitled to say, rognrdless of that report, that I never consciously gave away a Budget secret. I repeat that, regardless of the tribunal's findings.

"To attem'pt to deal with some of my private affairs would be as painful to me as it would be unfair to the House. Mv vices, if they are vices, have always been open and never disguised even from my own family." Leaves House in Dead Silence Mr. Thomas' face became more and more flushed and his voice less steady as he proceeded. "I intend to resign from this House immediately. I thank all .parties for kindness and often generosity over a period of 27 years. I cain only hope that during that long period I have made some contribution to what to-day is almost the only bulwark of democratic government in the world. "1 would only say that no word of this debate can wound me more than 1 now feel wounded. Nothing, nothing can ever be said that can humiliate res more than 1 have been humiliated, but 1 can at least go to one who has shared all trials and troubles and who still believes in me in this darkest hour of my life."

Here Mr. Thomas looked up at the Speaker's Gallery where his wife and daughter sat'. He said ho had no strength left to fight a by-election. He spoke for six minutes and ended almost in tears. He sat down amid a few sympathetic cheers, then he rose and walked dejectedly from the House in dead silence.

Sir A. Butt Denies Allegations

Sir Alfred Butt, in a voice hardly audible, said this was the most painful occasion on which he could address the House. It would be his last address ! to this Parliament. " I say emphatically that no Cabinet Minister has ever consciously or unconsciously disclosed to me any confidential information," said Sir Alfred. 'When i I heard the appalling decision of the tribunal, conscious as 1 was of the grave injustice done to me, I thought I should have an absolute right of trial in the Courts, where I should have had full notice of the charge against me, and where only properly admissable evidence would be given. " Then I hea.rd I was not to be prosecuted, that my case would not be heard. I have been condemned, and apparently must suffer for the rest of my life from findings against which there is no appeal and which are based on evidence that apparently does not justify a trial. " Victim of Grave Injustice " " There is no method open to me by which I can If bring the issue before a jury," continued Sir Alfred. "With the greatest respect I say that I can- ' not conceive that the combined ingenuity of the Lord Chancellor, Viscount Hailsham, the Homo Secretary, Sir John Simon, and the AttorneyGeneral, Sir Donald Somervell, could ! not have devised a method to bring this vital issue' to the court, but as I they have not devised a method how can I ask the House to acquit me? _ " If any good has to come from this, the«most miserable moment of my life, I hope that my position may bo something to prevent anybody else being subjected to this humiliation. I feel from the bottom of my heart that I am the victim of a grave injustice. V I hope and pray that some means may be still available to enable mo to prove my integrity. I propose to apply immediately for the Chiltcrn Hundreds. " Until to-day I had no intention of resigning, but having regard to Mr. Thomas' action I feel it would be impossible for me to take up a different position." Sir Alfred then rose, left his seat, bowed to the/ Speaker and left, the House. HOME IN COUNTRY MR, THOMAS' FUTURE NO RIGHT OF APPEAL LONDON, June 11 "If you ask me, is this the end of ; Jim Thomas, the answer is definitely Jf'/ No,' " said Mr. Thomas to a representative of the Daily Mail upon his arrival at Ferrjng, Sussex. He added: ."I am in an unfortunate position || fr here there is no right of appeal. I settle down here with my family, letters of goodwill are coming to me daily from all parts of the country