A REFORM PLEDGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2058, 22 November 1919, Page 2

A REFORM PLEDGE.

MR. ..MASSEY AND THE PARLIAMENTARY LABOUR PARTY. Tu discussing extreme Labour at Eilaarn on Thursday night, the Prime Minister (Right lion, \V. F. 'Massey) made an important pledge on behalf of the Reform Party. In the first place, he differentiated very clearly between the Parliamentary Labour Party, led by Mr Holland, and the workers and wage-earners of the country. The latter were, he sard, as loyal as any other section of the community. As to the former, he could not remember that any member of it (the Parliamentary Labour Party) had ever made a patriotic speech, had ever lent a hand when the British people were pouring out blood and treasure. According to a special report telegraphed to (lie Dominion, Air Massey said that while the Parliamentary Labour Party expected to sec a number of their representatives returned, it could not gel into power. They might gel into the position of holding the balance of power, without whose votes neither o!. (ne oilier parties would he aide to hold office. Mr Massey continued; “I will make ■this pledge to this meeting of citizens of Ell ham: That rather than hold office by the vole of any one of those men, or of all oi. them, 1 would walk oil the Treasury benches without a moment’s notice. They will never gel mo in a position to dictate to me. As long ns I lead the Government, 1 will dictate its policy with the advice of my colleagues, ami when P find that I have not enough genuine supporlers to give me a. majority of the House I will vacate office. In making Unis pledge I can speak for myself aim my ov.n parlv. .1 cannot speak lor the. other people-—! am not in their confidence. Here is the pompon of the parlies in Parliament to-day; —The Reform Parly Ims u strength of 41, the Liberal Parly 31, the rest of the House is made up ol toe official Labour Parly and other Labour members and Independents. It is not possible for (he Libera! Parly to overtake us. We will still have a majority over the Liberal Parly, hut if we don't get a majority of the House, and the other people form an alliance with the Parliamentary Labour Parly, then God help New Zealand.” (Applause.)