A WITHDRAWAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7868, 2 August 1911, Page 6

A WITHDRAWAL

MK MASSEY’S “ DISCLOSURES.” the late jib t. e. tayloe. Last session the leader of the Opposition, while the late Jlr T. E. Taylor was speaking, declared in an interjection that if he had permission tb divulge a confidence he could put the member for Christchurch North out of political life. The late Jlr T. E. Taylor at once challenged Jlr Jlassey to say all ho knew, and it was his determined following up of this matter which aroused so much public interest in Jlr Jlassey's proposed Christchurch speech. Last night, in the Address-iu-Keply debate, Jlr Massey road a statement in which he unreservedly withdrew tho allegation. “"Before I finish" on tho Address-in-Reply.” said Mr Massey, “ I desire to refer to a personal matter. Boring last session, in tho heat of debate, the fiorciest debate which possibly this House has seen in the last twenty years, I referred to a statement which had been made to me some years before regarding Jlr T. E. Taylor. I need not recall tho circumstances. I intended to deal with the subject when I went to Christchurch some few weeks agef to address a public meeting. I said so at the time, but 1 had not the opportunity then. I wish to say now that I withdraw the statement unreservedly, and regret that it was made.”

Mr Massey's statement was received with “ Hear, bears ” and applause. The Hon. G. Fowlds, who followed him, said that he was glad to hear Mr Massey’s closing statement. It was right that the matter should bo cleared up and done with. He congratulated the hon. gentleman on the statement ho had made. NOT UNEXPECTED. This development was not altogether unexpected, the matter having been the subject of discussion in the lobbies during tho last two days. It was stated that on behalf of Mr Taylor’s family the Rev. L. M. Isitt had written to Mr Massey on tho subject of the allegation, asking that it should be withdrawn. When Mr Witty, member for Eiccar. ton, spoke- last night, before Mr Massey had the floor, he made an allusion which was noted with interest. The Opposition, ho said, had regarded Mr Bailance as one of the seven devils of Socialism when ho was alive, but when a man died they strewed his grave with flowers. " Ton are going back eighteen years." commented Mr Fisher. " I don't want to go ’ back eighteen years," retorted Mr Witty. “ I need not go back more than a few. days."