MR. HOGG, M.P., IN REPLY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 871, 18 July 1910, Page 2

MR. HOGG, M.P., IN REPLY.

KING COUNTRY LAND SETTLEMENT. Sir,—Mr. James M'Cardle, who is a son of tho Hon. W. W. M'Cardle, M.L.C., appears to be aggrieved that his name appears "among other members of tho M'Cardlo family," in a leturn that I asked for relating to tho loasing and disposal of tho King Country. His letter goes to show that tho syndicate that figures conspicuously in the return as "M'Cardales," aro really the members of a combination whose dealings in land havo been a subject or' comment in other places besides the King Country. Why the name "M'Cardale" has been substituted for "M'Cardlo" on the paper submitted to Parliament remains a mystery to bo explained. Mr. Jas. M'Cardle figures on the return as the lessee of 2000 acres, but ho acknowledges that ho has 2175 acres of third-class land, for which he has to pay an average of 2s. per acre for 42 .years. Now, the return gives tho following particulars of the M'Cardlo family Jand transactions: — Rangitoto-Tuhua Block. A. D. M'Cardle, 1093 acres, 6d. firstseven years, Is. next seven years, Is. 6d. next seven years, and 5 per cent, on unimproved value .next 25 yeaj-s. V. A. M'Cardle, 2000 acres—JtJlOO first eleven years, £150 next ten years, right of renewal at 5 per cent. Jainea M'Cardle, 2000 acres—Same terma. A. M. M'Cardle, 1837 acres—ls., 25., 3s. each term of seven years, 5 per cent, on unimproved value nest 21 years. A. M. M'Cardle, 1000 acres—2s. 3d., 3s. 3d.j 4s. 3d. each terra of seveu years. V. A. M'Cardle, 700 acres—ls. 6d. first ten years, 2s. next eleven years, 4s. next 21 years. A. D. M'Cardle, 677 acres—Samo terms. A. D. M'Cardle, 1357 acres—ls. first ten years, 2s. next eleven years, 3s. next 21 years.' A. M! M'Cardle, 680 acres—Same terms. , F. E. M'Cardle, 1305 acres—ls. first ten years, Is. (>d. nest eleven years, &. (3d. next 21 years. Wharopuhunga Blcck. K. J. B. M'Cardle, 2037 acres—6d., Is., Is. 6c1., 25., 2s. 6d., 35., 3s. 6d. each term of fire years, and 4s. remaining seven years. K. J. B. M'Cardlo, 1225 acres—Same terras. The total area of the M'Cardle family estate is, therefore, 15,911 acres, exclusive of township investments on about sixteen thousand acres. Now., if it will relieve Mr. M'Cardle in any way, let ino assinu him that when I asked for the return over which he seems to be exercised, it was not with tho object of throwing a searchlight on tho operations of the enterprising family to which he belongs. Although some of its members have long had tho reputation of being seriously afflicted with land-hunger, 1 was quite unaware that they were dining so extensively on the King Country.' My object in endeavouring to secure this return was to discover whether under our Native land system the King Country was being quietly and surreptitiously handed over to land speculator);, and my worst fears, I reg Vet to say, have been confirmed. Now, with regard to some transactions of my own to which Mr. M'Cardle refers. Ho says it is .twenty-five years since he took up his first section of Crown" land in' the Masterton Block; that I was a fellow settler, but did not fell an aero; that afterwards h» took up another section in the Pongaroa district, and I also took up a section there, but "my heart failed me, after keeping another settler out for some years." Now, the difference between us is that while ho was speculating in sections, I was sacrificing time and money, putting workers on the land. On two occasions I was a promoter of special settlement associations, but while I helped the members as far ,as lay in my power, I never sold or transferred an "inch of land. In tho first instance, when sections were balloted for, I stood aside voluntarily; in tho second, I surrendered my section. My object was to promote settlement, not to make money, which Mr. M'Cardlo says he means to do in the King Country. Mr. M'Cardle says there are hundreds of thousands ' of acres of good land in the King Country, yet he selects third-claw land! Tho Teturn. I have got shows that a great deal of tho best land, which should have been reserved for the benefit of mon and women who want homes that will place them beyond the reach of want, has fallen a prey to. greed and avarice. —I am, etc., A. W. HOGG.