A GOVERNMENT VIEW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14923, 22 February 1912, Page 8

A GOVERNMENT VIEW.

MR. RUSSELL'S BOAST. READY FOR ANOTHER ELECTION . Mr. G. W. Russell (Avon) was the next speaker. He quoted from the Public Works Estimates to show that the votes did not fluctuate according to election years. Mr. Herdman : But what was expended? Mr. Russell said the political barometer had altered during the last few days. The smile of the Opposition Leader was different. (Laughter from Mr. Massey.) It was tragic now. (Laughter.) Mr, Massty had thought success was about to crown his efforts, but itnow appeared to be as far off us ever. A Friend of the North Island. Speaking of borrowing, Mr, Russell said there could be no reduction in the

borrowing for railways and land settlement, as- the North Island "was far from adequately' railed, or closely settled. If the Opposition had been in office during the last five years What, part of that borrowing would they have refrained from, and how would they have helped the settlement of the country without borrowing Criticising the speech of the Leader of the Opposition, " Mr. Russell said Mr. Massey would not repeal any legislation passed by the Government. • Mr. Massey: No benificent legislation. Mr. Russell: It's all benificent. Mr. Young: The second ballot ? Mr. Russell: That will not need repealing; it is dead already. He declared that tho people had been deceived by misrepresentations. When somo of the Government supporters took to the platform, the temporary advantage gained by the Opposition would disappear "like the early cloud and the morning dow." The Leader of the Opposition had- claimed that his party had enormously increased, and that this was the answer of the country, to the questions addressed to it. In fact, the result of- the election was due to a lack of organisation on the part of Liberal votes. The Black Pamphlet Again. The success of the Opposition, said Mr. Russell, wan;, largely due to ; shameful innuendo, slanderous, lying suggestions and wicked falsehoods * studiously circulated against one man. This campaign of calumny had begun three years ago, when the sectarian cry ' was raised in various quarters, and particularly- in Dunedin. I ollowing on that came tho Black pamphlet. This had' filtered into the back blocks, and everywhere that Government candidates had gone they had heard the charges that emanated "from the Black pamphlet. Mr. R. H. Rhodes: What have we got to do with that. Mr. Russell claimed that the Prime Minister, though he had faults, stood head and shoulders above any other man .in the British Empire as a* PostmasterGeneral. He was a giant in this country. Had the Opposition offered a candidate for the Speakership and given the Government the votes of Sir Arthur Guinness and of Mr. Wilford, tho majority of the 'Opposition would vanish.- But whatever happened tho Government party was ready to meet its opponents before the people at any time. (Opposition laughter.) The true Liberals of the Government party did not desi.'J t*> see a division from the Labour party, which had always been an integral part of the Government party, which had always worked in the interests of the workers.

Mr. Massey absolutely denied Mr. Russell's statement that the Opposition were opposed to the advances to workers. He was the first man in the House to advocate it. Mr. Massey also objected to tho reference by Mr. "Russell to the Opposition being connected with the Black pamphlet. Mr., Russell: No;, I did not. Mr. .Massey: Then why did yon mention it ? Why.did you.. bring it up ? Mr. Heaten Rhodes: Innuendo. Mr. Russell further . explained that though he did not charge the Opposition with circulating the pamphlet, the fact that it was circulated helped to give the Opposition the small accession of strength they had gained. Mr. Massey also denied emphatically Mr. Russell's statement that there was a speech-making factory in Wellington for Opposition candidates at the last election. (Hear, hears.) The House adjourned at 11.20 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. on Thursday.