PUBLIC OPINION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15861, 26 February 1912, Page 8

PUBLIC OPINION.

FROM SATURDAY'S NEWSPAPERS. (By Telegraph.) LAST NIGHT'S DEBATE. More than one Ministerialist member opined that Mr Dickson would have Remained silent if Mr Payne had not come to tho conclusion that in conscience he could not support the "Reform" party, and that is likely enough, though the charges having once been circulated the honour and purity of Parliament undoubtedly require that they should be thoroughly examined. The leader of the Opposition appears to have played a rather peculiar, we had almost said a sinister, part in the business. Much has been heard of late about, alleged Ministerial manoeuvres and 'intrigues and desperate angling for votes. Well, we can only say that the country is not likely to be favourably impressed by the sidelights thrown upen Mr Massey's cryptic activity in, Auckland offices, and his curious interview with Messrs Dickson and Payne.—Dunodiri "Star." PARLIAMENTARY DIRTY LINEN. The committee which was nominated by tho Prime Minister is one to the personnel of whioh as a whole no excepj tion can be taken, and the conclusion at which it arrives will probably be generally accepted. Wo may point out that the appointment of this committee will necessarily extend the duration of tlie session, for it seems impossible that | all the evidence which will be required can be collected in less than a week, and the session will, of course, not be closed until after tho committee has presented, its report. Presiunably tho debate on the want of confidence mo- ' tion will now be protracted until such time as the Committee of Privilege has concluded*, its" investigations.—" Otago Daily. Times." . ; ... . BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS. . At a time 'when political feeling runs high, rumours are circulated. There is probably not an elector who has not bad stories of bribery and corruption imparted to him -with the most elaborate detail, but it is very rarely that such stories are heard on the floor of the House, however, plentiful they may be even in the adjoining lobbies. In practically 'every instance they are elaborated by stupendous exaggeration from the smallest grain of fact, which, before even C7caggeration has entered on its work, has been either misunderstood or wilfully, twisted. The more a person's knowledge of election stories of a slanderous character the less credence he is liable to give them. We trust that the sifting of this latest charge will prove it to be one of the big class of pseudo-scandals which are unfortunately an unpleasant phase of political life. Auckland 'Star."