“ TO OUST THE GOVERNMENT.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3457, 23 February 1912, Page 5

“ TO OUST THE GOVERNMENT.”

MR. HARRIS EMPHATIC. STRONG CRITICISM OF AIR PAYNE Air HARRIS (Waitemata) said he was the representative, he believed, of ten thousand, of the most intelligent electors in New Zealand. His electors

had sent him down on a definite mission and he intended to fulfil that mission. It was to oust the AVard Government. He was ashamed to know that any man was prepared to stand up and say he would break in's election pledge. Air Payne called himself a Labor representative: He himself represented as much labor interest as Mr Pavne. and what had the Government done for them ? All they had to thank the Government for was a lot of empty promises not carried out. Dealing with- railway matters Air Harris said the New Zealand railways were the most disgraceful in tlie world, and it was time some administration other than the present one undertook the management of them. The policy pursued by the. Government in connection with Native lands called for the severest condemnation. In connection with the Dreadnought he submitted that the Government had lost the confidence of the country in allowing that offer to be made without consulting the House or the people. The offer as it was made was distinctly autocratic. Even the Czar of Russia would not have done what Sir Joseph AVard had. He had no doubt Sir Joseph Ward’s idea was sincere, but he had gone the wrong way about it. He would not detain tlie House any further. He only rose to tell Mr Payne what he thought of him in sinking his principles in the way he had.