MR. M'LAREN IN REPLY

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1180, 15 July 1911, Page 6

MR. M'LAREN IN REPLY

« MR. WRIGHT, M.P., STILL WRONG. Sir,—Mr. 1!. A. Wright", M.l\, complains that in my speech at the New Century Hall, I staled that "he had gone wroii;; on the land qnpstion, or, in other worth;, broken his pledge," and states this "is liqt only misleading, but. quite incorrect." Surely Ml. Wright mii.-t have forgotten that 110 had taken two pledges which, unfortunately for him, conflicted with each other when the test came. .My statement at the .Now Century Hall was exactly the same as what 1 stated in the House when -Mr. Wright was present, ami he, then, virtually admitted the whole charge 1 have made against him—if it is to be taken as a charge, and not merely a. note of regret that a good man should bo placed in so difficult a position. Hero are Mr. Wright's own words, when speaking on Jlr. Massey's amendment: "1 want to say that through being a norico when 1 was contesting an election for a seat in this House—l_ know a little more now than I did then—i had no idea of the possibility of a want-of-confidenco motion appearing iu this form. Thence my pledges to my constituents have keen somewhat contradictory in character; because, firstly, I pledged myself to vote against the Government on .a lio-conii-denee motion; secondly, I declared myself in favour of the settlement of all unsold Crown lands oil tho leasehold system. Hence, sir, you can see my difficulty." In a previous reference to the samo matter, Mr. Wright said: "I am between the devil and the deep blue sea, and I must cither fall into tho arms of the devil or plunge boldly into tho deep blue sea." I have no desire to press the"references further, as I really regret that Mr. Wright should have been , in such an ambiguous position, and I still more regret' that lie continues in it. In my speech the other night, I'onlv pointed out that Mr. Wright was in a less, enviable position than a Labour man who only takes one pledge and knows definitely the course to follow without doubt. Mr. Wright says 1 did not vote at all. If, however, he will look up tho division, he will see that neither did Mr. Luke nor Mr. Wilford. Tho truth is that all three of us were engaged on special business for tho • city, and, if I remember right, tho Government Whip failed to let lis know that a division was imminent. Mr. Wright will, I know, acknowledge that I definitely stated my opposition to Mr. Massey's amendment, and adherence to the leasehold system.— I am, etc., D. M'LAREN,