FOR PRESS RETIREM" ENT FROM THE SENATE BY SENAITOR
SIR WILIANM SPOONER,, KCMG, M
The following is an exchange of letters today
between the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies and Sir
William Spooner
" My dear Prime Minister,
I refer to the various discussions we have
had since I resigned from the Cabinet concerning
my position in the Senate.
At these discussions I expressed the view
that when the time was opportune, I would like to
retire from the Senate and you have been good enough
to understand my desire to do this.
For my part, I think it logical that having
retired from the Cabinet I should make way for
someone else with a political future to have the
opportunity to obtain the benefits of that treining
and experience in the Parliament which is necessary
in politics, Naturally I regret leaving political life
which has been so interesting and where I have made
so many friends. I take pride in the fact that I
know that the long personal friendship which you and
I have enjoyed will continue.
As you can imagine, I have given the matter
a lot of thought. As a result, I am quite firm in
my own personal desire to retire altogether from
politics. That indeed, this being sog I feel it is
proper that I should,
I hope that you will not see any difficulties
in the way of my now doing that which I would like to
do. Yours sincerely,
H. SPOONER
do 2-
" My dear Bill,
Thank~ you for your letter of today. I fully
understand and respect the reasons which have led
you to your decision to retire from the Senate,
I share your regret at leaving political life and
I warmly reciprocate your references to the long
friendship which you and I have both politically
and personally enjoyed.
You can look back with pride on the work
which you hcve done for our country over so many
years. No man could have devoted his talents to
public service with greater fidelity and zeal,
I have greatly admired your immense capacity for
work and the thoroughness with which you have
examined and directed the affairs of your various
Depa rtments, I will greatly miss my constant contoct
with you. Indeed your departure from the legislative
scene leaves rfle with a genuine sense of loss.
However your reasons for your decision do you great
honour, I do not know who will succeed you but he
will certainly inherit from you a great tradition
and a fine example.
With my warm regards, Yours sincerely,
R. G. M~' ENZIES.
CA N MRA,
Th-th July, 1965.