MR. J. A. LEE’S APPOINTMENT IS REVOKED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 302, 22 December 1939, Page 8

MR. J. A. LEE’S APPOINTMENT IS REVOKED

CONFLICT WITH LEADERS

HIS WRITINGS ARE IN QUESTION

AUTOCRATIC VERSUS DEMOCRATIC CONTROL OF THE PARTY

( Fer Pier* Association.] WELLINGTON'. Dec, 21. The appointment of Mr. J. A Lee, Labour M.P. for Grey Lynn as Parliamentary L’nder-Seere tary, is revoked by :. notice pub lished in the Supplementary Ga zette. issued to-night. The forma notice reads: “His Excellency, the Gov-ernor-General, has been pleased. in terms of the Civil List Amendment Act, 1936. to revoke the appointment of John Alexander Lee, Esquire, of Auckland, member of the House of Representatives, as Parliamentary Under • Secretary in relation to the office nf •the Minister of Finance.” The notice, which is <!::>.i to

day. is signed by the Minister ■> Finance, the Hon. W. Nash. After the issue of the notice re yoking Mr. Lee's appointment, a! statement was made by Mr. Nash 1 He said it was associated with Mr. ‘ Lee’s writings, which conveyed i impressions incompatible with the j mutual trust and loyalty essential | between those who work in dose | co-operation. The Government [ had, therefore, unanimously asked His Excellency to revoke the appointment. “I can only regret. ' added Mr. Nash, “the circumstances which have made this action necessary.”

"I Write As I Please” ' I write as I please, but obviously honesty is not the most profitable policy,” said Mr. Lee, in a statement to-night. “However, I shall be able to hang up a sack instead of stocking for Christmas. I have little to say at the moment. It was obvious that v ith members of Cabinet engaged in a campaign throughout New Zealand for autocratic control of the Labour Party and with myself engaged in a campaign for democratic control, there must be disharmony. Under the circumstances, i expected my resignation from the Under-Secretary-ship to be asked for. I replied to the request saying, as it were, that I •preferred to be sunk to scuttling my ship.’ Proud of Housing Scheme, ! 'I am proud I have been associated i with the creation of the house-build-I ing scheme with debt-free money. I ; shall have more time and freedom to .devote to campaigns for the complete initiation of Labour's banking and ! finance policy, and for the avoidance ■ of crushing war debts. I have had only my title and a few emoluments ‘ taken away, and a little more time ; given to my tongue and pen and ’ energy to fight for Labour s ideals. 1 may also be able to help deieat con- * scription, which I intend to fight by I helping to recruit to destroy Hitler. • That is, of course, if I am permitted. : The Labour Government in New Zealand has great record, and if it does not faller it will go on to greater things. “Meanwhile, in regard to the control of the Labour Party and control of finance, I shall go on committing the crime of espousing democracy, even if the fight for democracy and socialist banking endangers my political life. I regret my differences with my ! colleagues, but some differences have a habit of estranging folk who had for one another respect . and affection. I “The sea and salt water of Auckland beaches during January and Feb- ■ ruary will be pleasant If I am fortun- | ate enough to procure a house. May II wish Cabinet the compliments of the season and remind New Zealand that Wellington's Exhibition is worth a visit. I trust the Press of New Zea-