ALLEGED BRIBERY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 52, 26 February 1912, Page 5

ALLEGED BRIBERY.

PARLIAMENT’S SQUABBLE OYEB MR PAYNE’S T'OTE. the offending Reiter. £Per Press Association ) Wellington; Feq>lrdary 24. Following is the text qtf’Tlie letter brought forward by Mr Alassey and which is the basis for the-. Payne inquiry:-—* •' . ’ 'ill U.\ Febniaijy'T&th. You may remember my introducing I*you -,to young—,son of ( — I—j* 1 —j* one ittlSay.ypuiig Catholic party who do not \followJjWard. He worked hard loyally for us in Parnell, Ponsonby, and especially in Grey Lynn, Hel now assures me that Payjjie has beep squared (£1000) to, support \yard on a confidence motion. So spre is he of the correctness of th© : information that his dqd is offer- . ing level money up tp £IOO bn' Payne votingcagainst ypu.pn stick motion, and —— does 'not waste i any money bn^bets ■witjdou'k iipine reason,.,.; ■ ftKOfi :

i•■■. « y -j MR McMASTERS’ DENIAL. Auckland, Febrittary 24. Charles McMaster stated!' to a reporter on Saturday that tjl'ie allegation that he hiad offered Mir Payne, member for Grey Lynn, a \\h’lbe was ridiculous. \I MR YEITOH’S POSITION.

Wanganui, February 24. The Chronicle learns from‘l an authoritative source that the '\ rumour that Mr Yeitch was likely tdt break his election pledge is quite unfounded. Mr Yeitch returned to fYanganui on Saturday, especially tqp meet his committee. He arrived by'\ the 9 p.m. train, and proceeded at oijtce to the meeting, which was largely' attended. The Chronicle understands that interest in the meeting was' enhanced by the fact that during the forenoon the chairman of Mr. Veiteh’s committee had received a telegram from a member of the Wanganui LaSbor Party, at present in Wellington*', •strongly urging that Mr. VeitcK should be given a free hand with" regard to the no-confidence motion nowi before the House. This was interpreted to mean that Mr. Yeitch should be freed to vote for, instead of against, the Ward administration and prominent members of his committee received the suggestion with unqualified disapproval so far as they were concerned. They said there was to be no breaking of pledges, and they did not believe for a moment that' Mr. Yeitch himself would think of going back on his word. Steps were taken to ensure a large attendance at the night’s meeting. The proceedings were not open to the Press, but the Chronicle was informed that the greatest unanimity prevailed, and that Mr. Yeitch made it clear that he had no intention of breaking his pledge, and that the meeting terminated with the clear and unanimous understanding that he would vote for Mr. Massey’s amendment to the Adress-in-Reply, and that once that vote had been given he should be free to vote as he considered best on any other question that may arise.

A CHAIRMAN APPOINTED. Wellington, February 26. The Committee' on Privilege set up to deal with the breach of privilege elected Mr. Hanan chairman. The proceedings of the committee will be private. It is understood that they will examine several Auckland witnesses, including the writer of the letter.