MR PAYNE AND HIS PROMISE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVIII, Issue 158, 8 July 1914, Page 5

MR PAYNE AND HIS PROMISE.

In the course of an address to the electors of Grey Lynn the other evenings Mr Payne, M.P., said: "I-Aid' promise Mr Massey that I would support him on a no-confidence motion.'' (Voices: Oh!) Mr Payne; /'Never mind 'ohing.' I had an interview with Mr Massey, v and 1 asked him what he was going to do for Labor. He told; me that Labor would. \be treated better than ever before. I went to Wellington , and;l found that Mr Massey, was not sneaking the truth before I had been in the House a, week—(great uproar)—-and when I found that the Massey Party was the same old Tory Party, 1 considered that I had a. perfect right to withdraw my promise." (Interruption.) Mr Payne said he was not afraid of ; criticism, and would not give up his seat if 99 per cent, of Grey Lynlri' electors asked him to do so. All his life,' he said, he had been building up a character for industry and integrity. This statement aroused some interruption, and Mr Payne became heated. "T have some scoffers here tonight," he remarked. "I can give you_ faots, but I cannot give' you brains." _ He then named a number of prominent business men/who, he said, would speak favorably of his private character. Mr Payne said <he had never been asked by the present Opposition Party for his vote^ and then proceeded to make numerous charges against thi> present Government. From the Herald's report it' •appears that the speaker was subjected to a good many interjections, and there .was much laughter. The voting on a motion of thanks and conndene© and a,n amendment of thanks only appeared to bo about even, and the chairman declared the motion carried.