THE PRIME MINISTER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11515, 22 February 1909, Page 5

THE PRIME MINISTER.

OPPOSITION ASSERTIONS DENIED. (Per Prew Association.) ; - AUCKLAND, this day. i The; Prime Minister, -who .arrived m. [Auckland on SaVurday7moiining, received several- deputations during the ' morning and m the evening. In, the afternoon he attended the Oddfellows* ' Pl'einier picnic at Motutapu. He left for Wellington by the Main Trunk express last [night. .. •-- ■-.-•'.?•■ -..-.-. ----- >--. •'..'., -.-.■■■ ' AUOItL.AND, this day. The Premier, m an interview, said the statements made at Ijawera. by Mr Massey to the effect that the Gbyernr! ment had been guilty of oirajirpper. tactics u m the sole interests 'bt' ptiriyyviitd ot bribery m exjaenditure and promising of billets,, etc, for reWard, for party sar" vice j, were contrary to fact.; He challenged Mr Massey td^nainte , any. .specific ' caqjL lh *i*egaid to Mr Mc Gowan's retirement, Sir Joseph Ward said there was not the slightest difference of oplirpon on questiops .of policy between -Mr- McGowan and himself. The further assertion that Mr McGowan had declined to retire was without the, slightest foundation. "In • regard to -Mr' Ngata's attachment 1 Sir Joseph Ward said the responsible Minister %yas not relieved of his obligations; A political under-secretary conla act m many mat-, ters, though not where Ministerial responsibility was callfed for. , . .