MR. LANG, M.P.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143782, 4 May 1912, Page 3

MR. LANG, M.P.

REPLIES TO MINISTERS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, M?y 3. At the request of the leader of tho Opposition, -Ur. Dang, M.P., to-day replied to the recent u iterances of Aiiuisters. When interviewed. Air. Lang said tho Prime Minister was touring the country carefully, cultivating .the idea that the present cfabmet in general, and he (the Prime Minister) in were devoted to tho interests of the farmer. Mr. Mackenzie omitted to correct the impression that ho himself was a farmer. Mr. Mackenzie was not a farmer, and never was a fanner. If the Prime Minister was so solicitous for tho welfare of the farmer and tho interests of tho freeholder, why -was it that when he had tho opportunity of forming a Cabinet ho excluded farmers from it? Air. Lang said that the Government attempted to lead the public to think that tho vote of want of confidence moved by Mr. Massey was lost by the reading of a letter by Alt. Alassey. The only thing that saved the Government was the promise of Sir J. G. Ward to resign. Tho attack made upon Mr. Alassey by the Prime Minister, in which the Prime Alinister presumed to accuse the Leader of the Opposition of political, unfair play in declining a pair for Air. Wilford, who was not sworn in and who had refrained from asking for a pair, was particularly uncalled for, in view of the fact that the Government elected to take office by virtue of the support of two men who had promised to vote for the motion. The Prime Alinister, in Christchurch, tried to toll the public that the present Cabinet lias tile support of the country. It had not and never had. The Reform Party required none of tho Prime Minister’s advice, and had a thorough appreciation of its leader. “I am not surprised at Air. Alackeuzie,” added Air. Lang, “trying, together with some others, to injure Mr. Alassey in the estimation of the people, and to injure our party at the same time, because Mr. Mackenzie and his friends fear Air. Massey and fear the Reform Party, but we knoyv Air. Alassey and trust him, and we also know Air. Alackeuzie.”