PRESS AND POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 222, 25 October 1909, Page 1

PRESS AND POLITICS.

SIDELIGHTS ON POLITICAL NIiWSi'AI'ERS. After the wires closed on Tuesday evening, Mr. ilissoy, iu tUe course of a personal explanation, denied absolutely a statement of Mr. Kussell's that the Opposition were tile representatives of the capitalistic class. "This statement, said Mr. Massey. "is without foundation in fact, and is absolutely contrary to fact. I nave not a single capitalist or large landowner in the district 1 represent. The same statement might be made by ipiite a nmiilur of the other members who sit around me." The Opposition party did not look to the interests of any "class iu particular, but they looked to' the interests of the whole country, and they had on every occasion done their level best to uplift the masses. "If anyone wishes to know to which side of the House the capitalistic side gives support let him look at the list of gentlemen who used their capital lately for tin' purpose of propping up the Government organ in Wellington.'' Mr. Kussell said he had had considerable political experience, and he knew nothing to cause him to alter the opinion he had expressed. "The directorate of the Dominion, which supports the hon. gentleman, gives ample proof of everv statement I have made." Mr. Massey: I have only to contradict the statement, and say that it is absolutely contrary to fact, and unworthy of the member who made it. Mr. liusscll said, as regards the last remark, that Tic was sorry he had trodden on Mr. Massey's toes. He was informed that .CoO.OOO had been supplied by leading capitalists of New Zealand, which was to last the Dominion ior three years, and that the whole £50,000 was expended before three years wera up, and that they had to put more into it to keep the paper going." Mr. Mnssey: [ don't think it is ncccS' -ary for me to contradict the statement. 1 liiink that the House will take it for what it is worth. Mr. Massey added that in the past his party had metstatenients like the one to which lie Had objected, with laughter, but lie meant to contradict them in the future. ''When statements of that kind arc made, I am going to stand up in my place and put them right. I don't want to' Hansardise this to-night, hut here is o list of the capitalists who have used their money recently, at "the request of the Government, for the purpose of propping up the Sfciv Zealand Times,"

The Prime Minister-. We've got yours and will let you have them whenever jon like.