A TELLING REJOINDER.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1371, 23 February 1912, Page 6

A TELLING REJOINDER.

MR. HARRIS SPEAKS STRONGLY,

"LABOUR HAS NOTHING TO THANK THE WARD GOVERNMENT FOR." Mr. A. HARRIS (Waitemata)said he had been returned by one of the most intelligent constituencies in the Dominion on a 1 mission. That mission was to put out the Ward Administration. "I am," ho added, "pledged on the platform to perform that duty, and I took it the hon. gentleman who has just spoken was pledged in tho same way. (Hear, hear.) Sir, I feel ashamed that an hon. gentleman, in a. House such as this, should sink to such a level that Ire dare stand before tho House of Parliament and say he is prepared to break his election pledges." (Hear, hear.) He read an extract from one of Mr. Payne's speeches in December last, threts day» before the second ballot. " 'At present,' the hon. member has said, 'the Opposition have a majority, and I am satisfied that after the second ballot they will have a majority. They are far more true to democratic principles, nnd will do infinitely more for the workers than the gingerbread aristocracy that has grown N up from Liberalism." (Loud laughter, applause, and cheering from the Opposition benches), and," continued Mr. Harris, "wjien asked to explain his remarks further, Mr. Payne said, 'I believe that the Opposition are so anxious to clean up the terrible finance of this couutry, and that they will be fair to tho workers, because they realise vchat the Government re- . alised too late that the workers are a power behind the ballot-box.'" _

"Gingerbread Aristocracy." "And this is the hon. gentleman who is now supporting the gingerbread aristooracy, continued Mr. Harris, amidst a peal of laughter from the Opposition benches. "I am very pleased," he-added, "that ho is not on the same side of the House as I am. (Hear, hear.) I should be very sorry, sir, to call that gentleman a colleague of mine. A man cannot be true who is not true to his election pledges. He is a man who owes hia position to the votes given to him because he was pledged to send out of office an effete Ministry. He has pledged himself to come down here to do that. Sir, I regret that ho has sunk to such a level that ho is prepared to siuk bis principles of honour and manhood, and vote with a party thai he is expressly pledgod to vote against." What, added Mr. Harris, had the Labourites to thank the Ward Administration for? A great number of empty promises—promises they had-made and had not tho slightest intention of oarrying out. He and Mr. Payne both owed their position largely to the Labour votes—(Mr. Massey: Hear,' hear)—hut Labour throughout New Zealand had nothing to thank tho Ward Government for. On the contrary, it had a lot to'blame it for. (Hear, hear.) The Opposition, on the other hand, claimed that they were the friends of Labour in this Dominion. (Ministerial laughter.) It was all very well for the hon. gentlemen to laii!?b, but they would be laughing on the other side of their mouths after this division was taken. (Hear, hear.) lie went oh to cive a number of reasons why Hie present Government had lost the confidence of the country. "1 rose with the object ot telling the member for Grey Lynn my opinion of liiin," said Mr...Horns in conclusion. "I think very little of him. 11b pledged himself to his electors lo vote tho Ministry out of power, and has s\own himself a man who can sink his ; nuclides and 'lower his manhood. It were b:-tter that a millstone were hanged around tiiit i.entlc-ma-'s lu-i'k and he were cast into lira middle of Ihe sea." (Applause.)

Mr. Payne Explains. Mr Paviie me in personal explanation "I "must feel abashed at the speech of the member for 'Waitomatn, he began, "Ton have no-right to comment upon the method or tho argument of the speech " the Speaker interrupted. "You must, refer to the part _of tho speech which misrepresents yon." _ . Mr. Pavne explained that Ins signet! pledges \vere in the possession of his Schem" 13 rommiltee in Auckland, and they did not contain an tinilo'rtnkius to vote-against the Ward Administration, (<'«ovMni»*ct racrol*r»:- Hear, ) I do not dam tut I »led«d sunilt to vol*.

against the Ward Administration," added Mr. .I'aviiK. "I ramp here with an impartial 'mind, and have listened to the weak dishwalei " .Mr. Harris: "Is this personal explanation ?" The Speaker ruled that comment was out of order, and Mr. Payne admitted that since tho election? he had given straightout pledges lu vote out the Ward AdminHrntiou. "The Ward Administration will nn longer exist after this division is taken," ho added, and there was a burst of applause from the Opposition. "Because," he continued, "the. I'rime Minisler has alrrurlv told the country that he intends to resign." (Opposition laughter.)