GREY LYNN CONTEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15766, 14 November 1914, Page 9

GREY LYNN CONTEST.

SPEECH BY MR. PAYNE.

A LIVELY TERMINATION.

Mr. J. Payne, M.P., Independent Labour candidate for Grey Lynn, opened his campaign at St. Barnabas' Hall, Mount Eden, last night. Mr. J. C. Durbridge presided over a large attendance. A considerable number of persons, who were in clear opposition to the speaker, made their presence felt, although there was no real disturbance.

If they reviewed the various things printed abroad to discredit the present Opposition, declared Mr. Payne, they must inevitaoly come to the conclusion that the action of the " Tories" was worthy of the worst days of Tammany Hall. Mr. Massey spoke of a depleted Treasury, when the late Government had left large sums. The Dreadnought giftwas a very timely one, and a lesson to the nations of the world. Instead of Sir i Josepu Ward receiving praise, they found a postcard, showing a warship given by Sir Joseph, and paid for by the worker. He quoted figures to show that the indebtedness had not fallen on the workers' shoulders. What he favoured was the cause of Labour and progressive Liberalism to defeat the enemy of mankind, which he designated " Tammany Ton-ism." I The speaker twitted Mr. Rhodes j (Thames) with changing his views, lor he had said that public opinion demanded a United Liberal and Labour Party to defeat the machinations of the " Tory Party." He went on to refer to the 2000* acres of mining leases held by Mr. Rhodes and his son. "A Vortex of Intrigue." The speaker said he found himself in a vortex of intrigue when he arrived at Wellington and he quoted alleged details in regard to the defection of several members to the Government party and he challenged the Government to appoint a commission. No member of the present Opposition had approached any Labour man with a view to getting him to change bis vote The Massey Party condemned the then Government bv saying that the surpluses were bogus. Yet when going on the London market, they declared that in 21 years £8.530.000 had been transferred from the Consolidated Fund to the Public Works Fund, showing conclusively that those surpluses were actual and had made roads and bridges, no interest having to be paid on the amount. Mr. Payne accused Mr. Herdman of suppressing a Public Trust report. That report- showed that work costing £1500 would have cost £10.000 if done by outside lawyers. That was why it was held back and why it was described as garbled Before submitting an amending Bill, Mr. Herdman had previously placed it before the Law Society. Healng with other questions of alleged patronage, he instanced the cases of Royd Garlick and the appointment of two sons of the Hon H. D. Bell to the contingent that went to Samoa. A Voice: Best men we could get. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Payne said he did not doubt that they were good men, but should men be passed over for the sons of Mr. Bell?

Charges Against Government. Mr. Payne said that the worst charge of graft ever levelled against an American senator was not worse than that made by Mr. Glass in regard to the Waiuku railway. Mr. Massey said the line would not benefit his land, but that would not be believed. Mr. Massey should resign and give place to someone who would act differently. Mild laughter met Mr. Payne's assertion that he had killed the premium bonds scheme Referring to Huntly, Mr. Payne repeated that the men who had died had 1 been murdered, and anyone who had connived at the conditions existing was culpable. The Minister for Labour allowed tho formation of a bogus union, and the gas tests had not been made once a month, flus the men had not full protection. Someone asked why Mr. Payne had changed front on the three-fiftlis majority. Mr. Payne: If I did say I would support it it does not make any difference. (Loud laughter.) The "Tory* Party" had a very cunning scheme in that Bill and I would" not support it. I believe in State control. If there were 100 votes and only 80 voted, they did not desire to see the issue carried by 41 against 40 votes. He would like to see compulsory voting. He was not in favour of confiscation, and for that reason he was against Mr. Fowld's single tax proposals. Mr. Mortimer moved, and Mr. Evans seconded, a vote of thanks and confidence. There wa6 a lively interlude when the chairman refused to accept an amendment. Loud and continued applause followed a declaration from the audience that proper procedure required an amendment to be put before a motion. An amendment to the effect that Mr. Payne was not a fit and proper person to represent the electors, while thanking him for his address, evoked loud cheering and considerable hooting. This was ruled out as being a direct negative and also because the mover was not a Grey Lynn 'elector. Tho motion was carried. Cheers and groans followed.