THE PAYNE SENSATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 204, 26 February 1912, Page 4

THE PAYNE SENSATION.

The unusual incident which occurred in Parliament on' Friday last seems to have furnished that august body the chance it aiways so eagerly takes—to waste time, ine allegation that a new member had been offered a sum of money to break his election pledges gave rise to a great mass of protestations of spotless conduct from both sides of the House. The obvious joy of all hands in being given an opportunity, to squabble like a lot of schoolboys is one of the most regrettable features of the discussion that followed. Ihe charge in itself was serious, because it impugned the honor of the Premier and Mr. Vigor Brown a» well as of Mr. Payne, and conveyed the idea that squaring" process was - not dissociated from the Liberal party. A man's reputation is, or should be, his most precious possession, and if a public man loses it he might as well "throw up the sponge" at once. Mr. Dickson might have been actuated by the highest motive m bringing the matter forward 011 the floor of the House; on the other nand, it might be, as suggested by some, that the matter would not have been referred to at all had Mr. Payne not intimated his intention to vote against the Opposition. Mr. Massey may also have thought he was doing his duty by the country in placing on the .table of the House a pencil copy of an unsigned letter containing serious accusations against some of his political- opponents, but as tne Leader of an important section of the House he should have flret carefullyinvestigated the affair, and, if satisfied, then weighed the effect of lending himself and his high office to such a serious charge. Supposing Sir Joseph Ward were to take excerpts from letters written about his political opponents by the ci-anks who are never happier than when pestering Ministers with their effusions and use them against an opponent when ! k , ™ 8 doin &« were being dissected m the House, what would be said of his action by the Opposition party' and its supporters? _ Nothing would be too bad to say of him. He would be execrated Inside and outside the House. In our view, Mr. Massey was very ill-advised ! identifying himself with the matter; he should have been above it. Generally speaking he is one of the best meaning men m the country, though, in our view, frequently misguided and with a penchant for magnifying -trivialities' into matters of grave concern. This alleged offer when it comes to be investigated, L S j *° be - doubt be found to have its origin in a practical loke, and that the letter Mr. Massey used was based on a misconception. Political prejudice and venom, on the part of a busybody, would be responsible for the rest. There was a good deal of unnecessary heat displayed' and much washing of dirty linen. Really it is about time members stopped snarling and snappng at one another-like eo many canines e " ousI ? tackled the business for wluch they have been brought together