POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 203, 7 May 1912, Page 6

POLITICAL.

MR. ROBERTSON, M.R. WHY HE VOTED AGAINST THE ' GOVERNMENT. Foxton, May 3. Mr. John Robertson, M.P., addressed upwards of two 'hundred electors in the Masonic Hall, Foxton, last night. The Mayor presided. Mr. Robertson, with the exception of n. few interjections, re- J ceived a fair hearing. The audience consisted in the main of Mr. Robertson's supporters. Dealing with the reasons why he voted against Mr. Massey's vote of no-con-fidence in the recent short session, he said the pre-election pledge given to turn out the Waul Government was not the only one, as he was pledged to vote against Mr. Massey. He considered a break in the power of the continuous Ministry would be in the interests of the country. At the same time, he had no time for Mr. Massey or his policy. The whole attack against the Government was directed against its administration, not its policy. ■ He pledged himself to vote against the Government to get rid of that administration. By his action that Ministry had gone, and for the first time in the history of New Zealand politics the Premier was elected by the party in power. When he voted against Mr. Massey's no-confidence motion he was not voting for the Ward Government, but for the Government that was going to be formed. Under 'he circumstances he believed lie had e ' • >. the best thing, and if a similar posl.lon arose to-mor-row he would follow exactly the same courseIn reply to a question, Mr. Robertson said he would not contest the seat at the next election as a supporter of the present Government, but as a Labor candidate. It was not a case of whether he would oppose a Government candidate, but the question was, would a Government candidate oppose liim. He was now in possession, and would stand against all comers.' A vote of continued confidence in the member was carried, with one dissentient voice. A number abstained from voting.