MR PAYNE'S MEETING.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14306, 18 March 1912, Page 7

MR PAYNE'S MEETING.

(special to "the γ-jiess")

AUCKLAND, Mnrch 16

In the course of his- speech laet ni<jnt Mr J. Payne, M.P., in reply to loud demands from a section of the audience for an explanation of his election pledcres, declared that if 99 r cr c(?nt - of the Grey Lynn electors asked him to resign, he would.still demand ah opportunity to nrove his detractors to bo liars. (Loud applause.) Ho had, howoror, brought his written pledges with him, and could it be shown that he had broken them, he had his resignation ready. (Renewed applause, some of it ironical.) He denied that he had pledged- himself to vote against the Ward Administration on a general noconfidenco motion. In any case ho had been deceived, like a jreat many others, by Opposition trickeries. (Noisy interjections!) "Even if I made tho most sacred and binding pledge to do a certain action, I would not push tho workers of the colony into tho voracious maw; t would rather break that pledge," he said, and was greeted with loud applause and counter cries. "I Went into the House pledged to scheme 45, and what more do you want?" (Applause and ironical laughter.) There was some excitement when a. member of tho audience declared that ho was ont> of a meeting of three, at which Mr Payne promised Mr Murray, in tho latter gentleman's committee room, to support tho Reform Party in a no-confidence motion. -Mr Payne replied that tho only agreement between himself and Mr Murray was made in tho offico of the Tivoii Theatre, and there'was no third party present. To say ho made any promise in the committeo room was as vile a fabrication as ever a man made. (Cheers and hoots.) Tho member of the audience maintained that what he had said was true. (Uproar.) After an interval of comedy, in which an aged gentleman was chief actor, an altercation occurred on tho etage between three or four partisans of various causes, which t;ave promise- of interesting developments, but just as hostilities appeared -to be imminent a further diversion intruded itself in tho nhape of an offer from a member in tho audience of £50 to Mr Payne if he would re-contest the seat. The money, declared the prospective giver, would materialiso on the morrow. "That is not exactly a. question," objected Mr Payne. A Voice: "No good; it wouldn't keep you in cigarettes." (Laughter.) Mr Payne: No. it wouldn't; but I have already told you that 1 will still demand three years in which to prove that I am right, even if 9!) per cent, of you ask mc to resign. (Applause and disorder .)