MR J. H. THOMAS RESIGNS

Southland Times, Issue 22915, 13 June 1936, Page 7

MR J. H. THOMAS RESIGNS

SEAT IN HOUSE SIR ALFRED BUTT ALSO LEAVES COMMONS COMMUNIST DEMANDS CRIMINAL CHARGE (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, June 11. The report of the tribunal which inquired into the leakage of Budget secrets, finding that Mr J. H. Thomas, who was Secretary for the Colonies, was guilty of making disclosures to Sir Alfred Butt, a Member of Parliament, and to Mr Alfred Bates, was debated in the House of Commons to-day. Mr Thomas announced that he was resigning immediately and would not fight a by-election. Sir Alfred Butt also indicated his resignation. Mr W. Gallacher (Communist) tabled a resolution expressing belief in the justice of the findings of the tribunal, affirming that Mr Thomas and Sir Alfred Butt should no longer continue to be members of the House and further expressing the opinion that in view of the character of the evidence presented at the tribunal, criminal proceedings should be instituted against Mr Thomas. In Tense Silence. Mr Thomas rose amid tense silence. He said that no member had ever addressed the House under such painful circumstances and he hoped that never again would a member be similarly placed. Referring to his resignation from the Ministry, he said that he felt sure that the House would agree that he took the only course open. “I wish to make it clear to my personal friends that I intended to accept the findings of the tribunal without challenge, whatever they might be,” he said. “I did this not because a judicial body is infallible, but because I believe that there is not a more impartial tribunal than a British judicial tribunal, and I felt that of this tribunal however keenly I felt its report. I am, however, entitled to say, regardless of that report, that I never consciously gave a Budget secret away. I repeat that regardless of the tribunal’s findings. To attempt to deal with some of my private affairs would be as painful to me as it would be unfair to the House. My vices, if they are vices, have always been open and never disguised, even from my own family.” Deep Humiliation. Mr Thomas’s face became more and more flushed, his voice less steady as he proceeded: “I intend to resign from the House immediately. I thank all parties for their kindness and often generosity over a period of 27 years. I can 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. I would only say that no word of this debate can wound me more than I feel wounded. Nothing, nothing, can ever be said that can humiliate me more than I have been humiliated, but I at least go to one who shared all my trials and troubles, and who still believes in me in this darkest hour of my life.” Mr Thomas here looked up to the Speaker’s Gallery, where his wife and daughter were sitting. Mr Thomas said that he had no strength left to fight the by-election. He spoke only for six minutes, ended almost in tears, and sat down amid a few sympathetic cheers. He then rose and walked dejectedly from the House in dead silence. “NOT THE END OF JIM THOMAS” LETTERS OF GOODWILL. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, June 11. “If you ask me: Is this the end of Jim Thomas? the answer is definitely no,” Mr Thomas told a representative of The Daily Mail on his arrival at Ferrin g. “I am in the unfortunate position of having no right to appeal,” he added. “I shall settle down here with my family.” Letters of goodwill are coming every day from all parts of the country.