INDEPENDENT MR. RHODES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3461, 28 February 1912, Page 5

INDEPENDENT MR. RHODES.

PRAISE FOR MR. PAYNE. WOULD ASSIST THE LIBERALS. WELLINGTON, Feb. 27. Mr. Glover continued the debate' on the Address-in-Reply. He was, he said, in the House to preserve the interests of the masses. He would bow to no one so far as his allegiance to the workers and masses was concerned.

He proceeded to review the Governor’s Speech, and applauded the provisions' contained therein. One matter which called for immediate . investigation was the high cost of living. A Commission should be set up at once to go into the matter. He urged the prosecution of the East Coast Railway, where there was some of the most fertile country. The settlers there were handicapped in getting their produce away to markets through the harbors having bar troubles. With regard to the charges of maladministration levelled against the Government, their opponents should bring forward those charges and have them tested. He commended members to review the humanitarian legislation invented and passed by the present Administration.

Mr- T. AY- Rhodes declared that he was Independent. He had' given a voluntary pledge to his electors to vote for the Ward Administration. He had also given them to understand that he would vote for the freehold. He stood for his principles—for measures, not men. He would give his support to any measure which was in the interest of the people, no matter from which side of the House it emanated;. He had listened very attentively to all that had been said, and was sorry to see so much mud-slinging. A lot liad been said against the Government, but noone tittle of evidence bad been adduced in support of it. Innuendo and inference had been rampant, but there was nothing specific. He wanted to hear what the Government had done wrong and how the Opposition could do better. He honored the member for Grey Lynn for having the courage of his convictions and . breaking his pledge when he recognised that to keep it would be doing injury to the people. The Government had legislated' on progressive, democratic, and humanitarian lines, and he hoped to assist in the furthering of the programme of the Liberals.