THE BRIBERY CHARGES

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15861, 26 February 1912, Page 7

THE BRIBERY CHARGES

MATTER BEFORE A COMMITTEE,

MR MASSEY WILL CALL EVIDENCE. [From Our Correspondent.]

WELLINGTON, February 25,

"There will be no backsliding, no hanging back," said tho leader of the Opposition in the House in the small hours of Saturday. "I quoted an extract from a letter without thinking, and take the responsibility for what I have done." Mr Massey was referring to the letter alleging that Mr J. Payne, the member for Grey Lynn, had been " squared" for £IOOO to alt«r his vote on the no-confidencs motion, ana ne added that he was prepared to bruig witnesses from Auckland and, n necessary, hand in his resignation and let his constituents judge him. The committee which has been set unto deal with the breach of privilege rAei on Saturday and elected Mr J. AHanan chairman. It may be. remember, edthat Mr Hanan was also chairman oi the Hino inquiry two sessions ago. lhe proceedings <£ the committee win rjj private, hut it is understood th at , it will examine several tnesses, including the writer of J / f le jgfc. ter. Whether the committee vill com© to a find\sT<g this session is another matter. So:ne very interesting disclosures are esp<icfced regarding "political morality as it is underst«)od in Auckland.

The K disclosure 3 " of Friday night may bid followed by others from the same neurce, but that is unlikely; hecause ijf the way in wJjich the first allegation? rebounded. Political hoomeranps :ire at a discount this weak. The finding of the ooa-jmitte'.' may prolong the session, but r_ot if a division is arrived, at soon on the no-confidence division. Tn that c/ise members would want tc home. . On the other hand, the Opposition rafxy now prolong the debate in the expectation of helpful disclosures from the cammrttee's report. MR O'CONNOR EXPLAINS. OFFER TOWARDS ELECTION EXPENSES. IFbom Our Correspondent.] AUCKLAND, February 24. Mr M. O'Connor, proprietor of thg. Tjfiistle Hots?!, mentioned in yesterday's .rariiarfientary debate as having written to Mr .tf 'Master, Mr Payne's secretary, and having offered to put up £IOO for Mr M'ZMaster's nominee was interviewed by your correspondent this morning. Mr O'Connor admitted, at onca having written the letter. His offer, ho says, was not a bribe to buy Mr Payac'ts vote, but was offered as a contribution to Mr Payne's electioneering expanses in the event of a dissolution. At ths time of making the ofier, Mr O'Connor knew that Mr Payne was pledged to support the Opposition, and that Mr M'Master was working in the Opposition interests. • How Mr Massey could construe the offer into an alleged, bribe for Mr Payne to support Sir Joseph Ward Mr O'Connor does not know. Furthermore, Mr O'Connor says that after ho had made this offer to Mr M'Master, Mr M'Master, two hour* latei:-, brought Mr Massey and Mr Berries to his hotel and Mr O'Connor declares he was then introduced to thosa members as an Opposition supporter. .The allegation thai Mr Pnvna was •offered £SOO or £IOOO to go 'over to the Government in his presence O'Connor absolutely denies.

Mr M'Master was also seen by your representative, but he declined to mako any statement pending tho Parliamentary inquiry; [Pep. Prtsss Association.] AUCKLAND, February 25. Mr Charles M'Master stated to a rer porter on Saturday that the allegation that ho had offered Mr Payne, member jor Grey Lynn, a bribe was ridiculous.