MR, MASSEY MAKES AN "OFFER."

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13263, 14 November 1911, Page 2

MR, MASSEY MAKES AN "OFFER."

Auckland, Nov. 13

Referring to' th<» Judiciary and to remarks made by Sir John Findlay at Parnell, the previous evening, .VI r, Massey, speaking at Papakura, said ho had no intention of submitting to a scolding from any politician. Mr. Massey gave an unqualified denial to the statement to the effect thai-, he hal poetically told the Chief hit tier that the answer lie (Sir Robert fctouc) gave to th'1 Government in conn uxvin witli the Hine charges was influenced by the fact that he had been paid for Ins services in connection with the Native Land Commission, and that the Hine charges were hurled at Sir Robert a few days before the Chief Justice was to try the libel action instituted against the "New Zealand Times" by the Leader of the Opposition .

"Now, I desire to make an offer to Sir John Findlay," continued Mr. Massey. "He has plainly stated that I have done something wrong and improper. Everything I have said on the subject has been recorded in Han-

card, and I challenge him to collect those records, make them public, and allow the people to decide whether I havo done anything wrong. (Applause.) lam going to have this thing theshed out and I expect to see these, statements published during the next few days before I return to Auck land. If they are not I shall take an opportunity from a Parncll platform to express in the plainest terms my opinion of Sir John Findlay and of his action in the matter."

Mr. Massey added that the Opposition would have failed in their duty if they had not drawn the attention of the public to theso payments. He would for all time stand for an open Court and an independent Bench. (Loud applause.)