No Confidence Debate.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 February 1912, Page 4

No Confidence Debate.

A SENSATIONAL EPISODE,

The no-conlidence debate in the -Xew Zealand Government still continues. Lust night's speakers were Messrs Payne (Labour), Harris (Opposition), and Hindmarsh (Labour). Both of the Labour members intimated that they would vote for the Government in the forthcoming test. The most sensational episode of the evening was led up to foy Mr Payne. Ho said he was inclined towards the party in power, though in face of all the innuendoes going about some people might think it was for reasons not obvious. One of the insinuations being made was that he had been bought- by the Ward party for £1000. (Incredulous laughter and some confusion.) This was plain proof that innuendoes were still being circulated, because it was told to him by the Leader of the Opposition himself. The speaker was interrupted for some moments at this point by renewed merriment and a chorus of protests, amidst which Mr Massey slowly rose from his seat. "Will you repeat that last remark?" he asked. This Mr Payne did. "Yes, I showed you a letter " began Mr Massey, but he was interrupted by loud calls for order. "By Jove," said Mr Laurenson, "that is the hottest thing I have heard for a long time." The Hon. T. Mackenzie: Did I understand the Leader of the Opposition to sav lie could prove that the lion, member was offered £1000 for his vote? Mr Massey: I never said so. Government members: Innuendo again I Continuing, Mr Payne said that members of the Reform party might try to convince him that he had no right to review the position sine© no longer ago than Friday week he had given his word to Air Massey that he would vote against the Ward Government on a no-confidence motion. (Mr Massey: Hear, hear.j But it lie deemed ifc expedient to break a pledge for the benefit of the people ho represented he would break his pledge without compunction. He had been told that by doing so he would commit political suicide, but lie would prefer doing so to committing "labour interest murder." Government members: Hear, hear!

| Mr Harris( Waitemata) in concltiding hie spcech, said he had risen uith the object of telling the member lor Grey Lynn his opinion of him. "I think very little of him. He pledged himself to his electors to vote the Ministry out of power, and has shown himself a man who can sink his principles and lower his manhood. It were better that a millstone were hanged around that gentleman's neck and ho were cast into the middle of the sea." (Applause).