A STRANGE STONY

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11876, 9 July 1924, Page 7

A STRANGE STONY

TOLD IN THE HOUSE ALLEGATION AGAINST A LONDON JOURNALIST. MADE BY PRIME MINISTER. “I have been told that I interfered indiscreetly,” said Mr Massey in the House last night, referring to criticism of some remarks he made while he was Home at the time of the British elections. “I will tell you what it amounted to.” Mr Massey said that he had been interviewed by a journalist who hoped to get something out of him, and all lie said was this: “All I have to say is that I take no part in the election. I would like to see more patriotism and less party.” Mr Forbes: You said more than that. Mr Massey said that some • newspapers had taken tho matter up. Every public man was attacked, and if ho was not attacked he was not of much oonsequence. Telegrams went from New Zealand to a certain journalist in England to make it hot for Massey. Mr Wilford: I doubt it.

Mr Massey: Does the hon. gentleman know a gentleman named Grande? Mr AVilford: Julian Grande? Mr Massey: Yes. Mr Wilfdrd: He was in my room. Mr Massey: I thought so. That will be for the present. Liberals: Oh, no. Go on with your story Mr Massey: Julian Grande took an article to an officer in the employ of tho New Zealand Government and said: ‘T can get this into any of the London papers, and I am going to publish it unless you find me more remunerative employment.” Mr Wilford said that if there was any imputation against him in whet had been skid he gave it a positive donial. It was a wicked lie. Julian Grande had called to see him because Mr Wilford load been a personal friend of the late Mrs Grande. The whole of the time Mb* Massey was in London Mr Wilford was in the East. He resented the innuendo, and the halftruth.

Mr Massey said the statement he had made was absolutely correct. Mr Grande had done what had already been mentioned. Mr Wilford: That was nothing to do with me.

Mr Massey: Well—we will leave it at that.