MR. PAYNE DEFIANT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1394, 21 March 1912, Page 8

MR. PAYNE DEFIANT.

HIS RICHMOND MEETING. SOME ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS. The Auckland "Herald's" report of Mr. John Payne's meeting in the Richmond Hall, Grey Lynn, on Monday, states that fully 500 people were crowded into tho hall, and tho proceedings were even more stormy than tho first meeting addressed by Mr. Payne in the Tivoli Theatro on Friday evening. Tho chairman of Mr. Payne's election commit too (Mr. A. Carney) again presided, and there was much animosity displayed against the lengthy statements which ho frequently made from the chair. An activo part in tho proceedings was taken by Mr. J. 11. Hradney, Reform member for Auckland West, and Mr. W. H. Murray (Mayor of Grey Lynn), who was the unsuccessful Opposition candidate for the Grey Lynn seat. In tho course of his speech, Mr. Payne complained that witnesses had always been provided for interviews with him. Next election ho would never approach a political man without two or threo witnesses of his own. Mr. Hamill: They are necessary when dealing with a man who does not keep his pledges. Mr. Payne once more declared his determination to break his pledge in similar circumstances, and thero were cries of

"Shame, Payne," and "Hand in your resignation." Ho next spoke of the "miserable pettifogging statements made by Mr. Mussey." (A. voice: Why don't you go back to your people?) Ho added that the matter of tho letter read by Mr. Massey had only been postponed, and he could havo it reopened, and havo Mr. Massev unseated if lie liked. (Derisive laughter.) "If 99 per cent, of you sign a petition, asking mo to resign," ho retorted, "I shall not. I do not grovel or crawl to you to let mo show what I am; I demand it." (A voice: How many signatures do you want?) "If you gave me a petition signed by tho 0000 electors of Grey Lynn, I should defy it. If threo years go by with ino as a politician, you will lick my boots for tho benefits I have conferred upon you. (A voice: And you will lick Ward's boots.) You have absolutely nothing against me." A voice: You broke your pledge. Mr. Payne declared that if he studied his own interests ho would be in Mr. Massey's party. (A voice: You would bo no acquisition to any party now.) Mr. Massey would wring his hand off, it he voted with the Opposition in the next division. (Laughter.) While working in (he causeof tho workers, he was neglecting a business which would, by three or four hours' attention daily, increase his salary as a member to an income of ,£2OOO a year. Parliamentary life was not a financial success. A lew minutes later Mr. Payne referred to Mri Bradney as the last man who tried to "nobble" him for tho Massey party, and there was an apparently unexpected responso from Mr. Bradney himself, who cried out from tho back of the hall, "Aro you game to let mo come up there?" A way was quickly cleared for him, and amidst tremendous cheering, Mr. Bradney stepped on to the platform.

During tho next few minutes Mr. Bradney was tho central figure in an exciting interlude. Mr. Payne tried to speak, but was howled down; but'ho was allowed to recount a conversation between Mr. Brad, ney and himself in the Grand Hotel in Wellington. Tuero was more cheering when tho member for Auckland West began to speak, lie said that prior to tho division he called upon Mr. Payne, as one of his constituents, and told him that ugly rumonrs were abroad, and reminded him ■of the fact—the positive fact—that Mr. Payno owed his election in a large measure to the influence of himself, his partner. (Mr. Binns), and another gentleman. Mr. Payne's signed pledges wero not worth two straws, in lace of the pledge given by him on every platform to oust tho 'Ward Government. (Applause.) Nov.- he was hanging on to the Prime Minister's coat tails to secure a place in the next Ministry. Mr. P. Brinsden, a member of tho Hon. G. Powlds's election committee, moved, "That this meeting of. Grey Lynn elector's believes the statement mado by Messrs. Murray and Hamill is true, and considers Mr. Payno should resign." Tho great majority of those present voted for the motion, and when Mr. Payno himself called "on tho contrary" about ;v third of the number which had voted for tho motion held up their hands. Tho chairman refused to recognise the motion, and Mr. Payne frankly defied it. Tho chairman declared that all the opposition emanated from Mr. Fowldss committee, but this was immediately challenged by Mr. Holdsworth, the secretary of the committee.

"The proof is that Mr. Holdsworth and Mr. Brinsden are here," replied the chairman, and he added that Mt. Fowlds would bo asked to debate scheme 45 with Mr. Payne.

As evidence that others than Mr Fowlds's supporters were opposed to Mr. Payne, a very largo section of the audience gave vigorous cheers for Mr. Massey. They were followed by cheers for Mr. Payne and for the Rev. W. Gray Dixon.