THE PREMIER'S REPLY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1377, 1 March 1912, Page 6

THE PREMIER'S REPLY.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURSE. "I NEVER LOSE .MY TEMPER." Sir JOSEPH WARD saitl ho was taking tht) constitutional course. Mi'. Massey wanted to get tlm men who TOteil tlie nthcr night to keep him out of office to reverse their votes on a hypothetical motion suggested by the Conservative press who wore behind flic land-owners. (Cries of "Oh!" ami laughter fiom the Opposition benches, mingled with "Hear, hears" from tho Government following). AY hen Gladstone retired in favour of Kossbery, and (ho Federal Prime minister retired, thev did not take the course advocated by Mr. Massey. If.is suggestion to adjourn for a week was with a view In allowing a minority in the House, backed by a minority ill tho country, to dictate. An hon. member: Nonsense. Sir Joseph Ward snid he was doing the right thing in preserving the masses of the people from IJio Ton - Administration coining' into power. (Laughter.) An hon, luember; Talk Ecnsfl,

Sir Joseph Wiird, in answer to another iiitpi'jecfor, asked who was that interruptMr. Payne: Tho member for Parnell. .Sir Joseph Ward: Ho ought lo be ordered out if he does not know how to behave himself. (Cries of "Oh, oh!") An lion, member: Keep cool, and don't I lo?i! ynur temper. I Sir Joseph AVard: I never loso my lom- ! per. (Laughter.) He went on to say that ' there was u widespread feeling of joy at the defeat of the Tory parly the other night. Another Election. Mr. Hordimin: Let's have another election. (Loiul hear, hears from the Opposition benches).. Sir Joseph Ward: We would wipe you out of sight if we had another election— (Opposition laughter)—judging from the hundreds of communications I have received. There was only one. against me— signed by two Oppositionists up north, who said, "Wo are 'Payned' at the result of the division." (Laughter.) He (Sir Joseph Ward) had wired back to them: "I suggest you consult your medical adviser." The messages he had received indicated that the Opposition were in a minority in tlio country. An Opposition member: You try it. Sir Joseph Ward reiterated his statement. Mr. Massey: Well, I am quite willing to go to tho country. (Hear, hears from the Opposition benches.) Sir Joseph Ward coutinued that he was entitled to recommend to the Governor one of the members of the majority 1 who carried thu' resolution the other ni»ht ; against tho Loader of the Opposition. The ' Opposition knew tho voice of tho people ' was against thorn. (Opposition langliter.) They never looked so unhappy in their lives. (Loud laughter from tho Opposi- [ tioii, and cries of "Go to the country, go ' to the country.") Sir Joseph Ward said he thought the ! country had trusted him in counec- ' lion with very difficult matters in' tho ; past, and they" might trust him with what ' was admitted to be a crisis in the political history of the country. The conntry could depend upon it that tho parties associated with him would do nothing inL jurious and that they could select a good Government. \ Mr. Massoy: Well, let's see it! I Sir Joseph Ward added that the House had confirmed by vote that a progressive ■ policy was to be carried out—such as the I acquisition and tho 'bursting-up of largo j landed estates;, helping the workers of the country, helping the farmers, and helping 1 the ordinary trade industries. In tho face '. of this they must keep Mr.' Massey f whero he could do no harm. On an appeal to the people next time they would wipe out the old Tory party. An [ hon. member: We've heard that before.