PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1011, 24 February 1912, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LAST NIGHT’S PROCEEDINGS.

The Address-in-Reply and uoconfidence amendment, which it was hoped would have been disposed of last night, was interrupted by a party wrangle arising out of an allegation concerning Mr John Payne, Labour member for Grey Lynn. Another Auckland member, Mr Dickson, a follower of Mr Massey, took his Labour colleague to task for reversing his election pledge, aud declared that Mr Payne mentioued to him he had been offered a large bribe to do so. The mystery deepened when Mr Massey produced a pencilled copy of a letter, unsigned, and with blanks for names, suggesting, ” Payne has been squared —,£1000.” Mr Payne formally moved that a breach of privilege has been committed, and that a commission of inquiry be set up to inquire into the allegations against the member for Grey Lynn. Mr W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) seconded the motion, which was supported by Mr Robertson. Mr Payne’s motion was carried on the voices. On the motion of the Prime Minister the following Committee of Privilege was appointed to take the writing and publishing of the letter into full consideration : Messrs J. Allen, W. Fraser, J. Hannan, W. Nosworthy, E. Lee, G. W. Russell, J. Robertson, V. Reed, G. M. Thomson, W. A. Veitch, and the Hon, J. A. Millar.

The Committee is to report within three days.