KAWHIA LANDS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 481, 14 April 1909, Page 11

KAWHIA LANDS.

(DT TELEGItArH—SrECIAI. COUUESrOHDENT.I Auckland, April 13. Speaking to a "Star" reporter this afternoon, tho lion. George Fowhls stated that his attention had been drawn to the following statement made by_Mr. Massey, when tho Leader of tho Opposition was speaking atßuckland on Tuesday, tho 6th instant: "Somo years ago, a deputation waited on tho lato Mr. Sciklon, and urged that a block of land at Kawhia, gazetted as for sale on tho optional system, should ho opened on the leasehold tenure only, and the leaders of tho deputation wcro Messrs. Hogg and i'owkls, members Of the present Ministry." "Mr. Alassey," said Mr. Fowlds, "has frequently made similar statements regarding me, and as frequently I have publicly refuted' them, but such refutations make no dillorence to Mr. Massey when he wants to make an clfectivo point talking to a country audience. 'I wish to repeat that the statement is absolutely contrary to fact, and that 1 havo never attended a deputation to Mr. bcddoii or to anyono else asking that tho Kawhia lands should bo withdrawn from sale on the optional system. On tho contrary as. a member of tho council of tho Uiamber of Commerce at tho time 1 assisted in formulating protests that were sent to Mr. Sctldon against tho withdrawal ot those lands after they had been advertised for sale, and after peoplo had spent timo and money visiting them on tho assumption that they wouid bo opened under the optiona tenure. The onlv deputation to Mr. beddon dealing with tho question of brown lands that 1 over took part in was somo considerable timo bel'oro tho Kawhia lands were advertised for salo «v ail, and at that deputation no rcfefenco was 'mado to Kawhia lands. Tho deputation dealt generally with tho question of tho salo of Crown lands."