THE CENSURE DEBATE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 February 1912, Page 3

THE CENSURE DEBATE.

LAST NIGHT'S PROCEEDINGS CHARGE OF BRIBERY [mi FRKBS ASSOCIATION.] "WELLINGTON, February 23. Allegations were made ,during last night's debate, that Mr Payne, M.P. for Grey Lynn, had been financially induced to vote for the Ward Government. An offea' of £500 »vas mentioned. Mr Payne, by way of a personal explanation, said he was called into tho offico of Maurice O'Connor by Charles MoMaster, who said, "Do you know, I have been authorised to give you anything between £500 and £1000 if you will go in the direction of the Ward party. He (Mr Payne) took no notico of the remark. Mr Payne proceeded to say that he believed McMaster was now taking round a petition calling upon mm to resign because he had gone back on his election pledges. Mr Payne said he was going to vote that a committee ho set up to clear him of tthe charge that he had been squared for £1000. Tho Speaker suggested that Mr Payne should "move that the publication of the following extracts in the letter constitutes a breach of privilege." Mr Witch seconded the motion, and said that whatever the charge was it should he proved up to vhe hilt. The responsibility for the Droving of tho charge against a Labour member restod with tho gentlemen who brought the matter forward. There might be a fear that the member who records his vote on the Liberal side might he charged with something similar. Mr Payne said he wanted the original letter laid on the table to enable him to prosecute the writer. Mr Brown said it was a cowardly thing to make such a statement as had been made while he had no redress in the Law Courts against the writer of the letter. "Mr Payne told me some days ago," added MiBrown /'that Mr Massey Had said that ho (Mr Payne) had been squared hy Mr Brown for £1000." Mr Hanan (Tnvercargill) said it was a curious thing thßt such ci dastardly chargo had not been made im_ til after tho member for Grey Lynn had spoken. There wias nothing to show that the letter was not a "fake." There was no signature and all they had was an extract. MR ROBERTSON SPEAKS. Mr Robertson said he was of opinion that the charge brought by t-lie Opposition against Mr Payne was designed to intimidate the Labour members who had not yet spofcen. He could see a way to keep his election pledges, and yet vote to keep tho Liberals on the Treasury Benches. A PERTINENT QUERY. Hon. J. A. Millar asked if an offence had been committed, and .the Leader of tho Opposition knew of it a fortnight ago why had ho not made it. public earlier in the session? In his opinion if Mr Payne had voted for the Opposition they would never have heard a word about the matter. The House rose at 12.30, .and sits again at 7.30 p.m. -m Monday