A PLATFORM INCIDENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 214, 15 October 1909, Page 2

A PLATFORM INCIDENT.

THE PREMIER AND MR. MASSEV. (By Telegraph.—Special to "News") Wellington, Last Night. The Prime Minister remarked in liic House of Representatives tonight that extraordinary efforts were made to magnify what the Leader of the Opposition said and did. "If the lion, gentleman sneezes it is turned into a thunder clap so far as the Press Association is concerned. If he coughs the hon. gent'eman has provoked an earthquake. I don't object to it. 1 am glad to sec every member of this House occupy his proper position, but 1 think it is rather funny when you commence to know the facts." Sir Joseph mentioned that before the last general election, he and Mr. Massey travelled by the same tram between Tcmuka and Ashburton, Mr. Massey at the rear and Sir Joseph at the front of the train. At Ashburton station, Mr. Massey met a number of friends and was told that there was some difficulty in selecting an Opposition candidate. Sir Joseph said that he had intended to go out on the platform and meet Mr. Massey, but on learning £vs circumstances he thought it the right tiling and the gentlemanly thing not to do so—(hear, hear)—but the Press Association sent out from end to end of New Zealand that "Mr. Ma6sey was on the Ashburton platform and was received by the people while Sir Joseph Ward remained in his carriage."

Mr. 'Massey said tliat when he arrived at Ashburton ho found 100 to "150 people on the station who wanted him '.o address them. He told them that as Sir Joseph was on the train it wou'd hardly be good form to do so, but he promised them he ivould if they put an Opposition member in. "They did so." concluded Mr. Massey, "and I am going to keep my promise." "And I will go back to Ashburton," rejoined Sir Joseph, "and I hope to b» able to show that the Government is better than the Opposition."