SPEECHEB BY THE LEADERS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1375, 28 February 1912, Page 6

SPEECHEB BY THE LEADERS.

A GOOD FIGHT. AGAINST POWERFUL INFLUENCES. Mr. MASSEY: On Hie motion for adjournment I wish to take the opportunity of congratulating tho Right Honourable tho Premier on his win. (Hear, hear, and applause.) I do not grudso it to him in th© very slightest. I think ho will admit that wo have put up a good fight. (Hear, hear.) Unfortunately wo wero not able to overcome all the influences brought to bear—(Ministerial laughter and uproar)—but I venture to predict that next time a want-of-confi-dencs motion comes before, tho House-it will not be decided on the casting vote of the Speaker. (Applause.) Tho PRIME MINISTER said: I thank the Leader of the Opposition very sincerely foT tho kind congratulations which he has been good enough to extend to me. I want to assure him that I recognise that his side has.put up a good fight, about which no imputations of any 6ort or kind can bo mado by me, W© also have put up a good fight, and the win, on the casting vote of Mr. Speaker, is duo to tho opening of the eyes of the Labour partv in this country. I want to point out to all our friends on this side of,tho House, while thanking them for tho very honourable way m which they have stood by tho Government in a very trying time, that I realise tho full import of tho position arrived at in tho House. It is not the mere fact that wo are in the majority, it is tho fact that throughout tho country large numbers of peonle of every class it desirable, for various reasons, to giyo Government candidates not such hearty support as on former occasions, but a split which had existed had told its tale. I also venture to predict that on tho next occasion when we havo a decision in this House, it will not be on tho casting-vote of tho Speaker, but it will bo by tho mass of the people realising the narrow e=capo they have had from falling >mto the arms of tho vultures. „ . ' , Mr. Massey: What, arms of the vultures? (Laughter.) Sir Joseph Ward: I should say claws. It is n recognition bv the people ou'sido of Parliament that they in the lutui'o as they have done in the past for the best par't of a ounrtcr of a century, will support the Liberal Administration, anc that thev will not make tho mistake of having a narrow escape from a time of old lory rule Let me again thank the honourablo wnticiuan for his kind congratulations. Ho is speaking f rom '"' s n " rirl: no SPC9 the writing on the wall. Mr. Payne interjected a remark nlxmt Labour members.' Tho Prime Minister added that, he hoped tho decision of the House would lie the forerunner of gond and valuable work in the future for all sections of tho com in unity. . The Houso rose at 0.15 a.m. to reaumo at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday.

"WATCH THE NUMBERS," (By Tolosraph-Press Association.) Gisborne, February 27. Roplyinp to a telegram from a 'strong supporter of his candidature, now resident in Gisborue, Mr. Robertson, M.P., savs: "Ward is going out, no matter how I vol?. Watch the numbers." The I.egislativo Council met yesterday afternoon, but immediately adjourned until to-dny without doing any business. Mr. Hunter gave notice yesterday afternoon lo ask for n return of (ho nvorngo cost per sitting day of the present session of- Parliament during its second week.