THE MOKAU AFFAIR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1210, 19 August 1911, Page 6

THE MOKAU AFFAIR.

INQUIRY OPENS. A PRELIMINARY SITTING. The inquiry into (ho Mokau land dealings was formally opened yesterday, when tho Nativo Alfairs Committco mot, at 11 a.m., to arrange preliminaries. Members present wcro: Messrs. W. T. Jennings (chairman), AV. 11. Herries, li. Dive, AV. D. S. Macdonald, To linngihiroa, V. Marnier, T. E. Y. Seddon, T. l'arata, Sir James Carroll, anil the Hon. A. Ngata. Messrs. I?. U. Hhodes, 11. J. Grcenslade,

Mr. W. V. Masfcy (Leader of tho Opposition) attended the meeting. Tho minutes of Hie previous meeting of tho committee having been read, the press were admitted, ami tho chairman announced.that tho committee was now prepared to hear Mr. Massey. Mr. Jlasscy said he understood that the object in referring this matter to tlie committee was that tho fullest possible inquiry might bo made into tho whole transaction. It was true that tho inclusion of his speech at Auckland, and its being printed as a Parliamentary paper had put him in tho position of being tho 'originator of the inquiry. Of this

ho quite approved. It seemed to him iliat tho best thing to do now would be to present a list of thoso whom ho proposed to call as witnesses. He assumed that the inquiry would bo open to the press,' and that witnesses would bo examined on' path.

Tho chairman replied that these things had been already decided upon. He stated also that tho evidence of witnesses would 1)0 taken down in tho usual way. / Mr. Mafvcy then submitted a list of those whom he proposed to call as witnesses.

Sir James Carroll suggested, that Mr. Massey might give the committee sonio idea of the course he intended to pursue. Ho might indicate the pints upon which ho desired to take evidence. Members had-been under the impression that Mr. Massev would make a statement.

Mr.Masscy replied that, if it wero necessary, ho wns quite willing to do -so,but ho did not wish to limit the scope. of the inquiry. , Sir James Carroll referred Mr. Massey to a statement he (Sir James Carroll) had made in .the House, to tho effect- that there was no reason why every detail gf tho Mokau transactions should not have the fullest publicity. But, for the guidance of the committee, and to keep the investigation in order, Mr. Massey might adopt tho course he had suggested. Mr. Massoy said ho desired at tho outset to call Mr. Joshua-Jones. Sir James Carroll. raid Mr. Massey might call anybody lie liked. But' ho might give, the committee some idea, in consecutive order, of the points he wanted elicited. Mr..Massey then supplied the following list of witnesses whom ho desired to call: Mr.' Joshua, Jones, Mr. Bowen. the chairman.of the Maniapoto Land Board (minutes and correspondence to bo produced), Mr. nermann Lewis, Mr. 11. D. Bell, Mr. Te Witi Macdonald, and Mr. Harvey, 'surveyor. To Kuiti. Mr. Massoy stated that, personally, he had' very littlo to add to what he liad already said in the House and upon tho platform. Sir' James Carroll said that he had already replied to Mr. Masscy's statements, lie would like the last-named to indicate any discrepancy between his answers and Mr. Massey's allegations. Mr. Mas-soy submitted that it should bo tho other way. He held that his statements hud not bo.en contradicted.

The Chairman: "That being so, would it not lie well for you to indicate, whore your statements havo not been answered ':" Jlr. Masscy said he would do this-wilh pleasure, lie might at. the samo time, arrive at same other points that had not boon louebfd upon. To n. further rjiinitinn by (he chairman, Mr. Mr.s.sey replied that ho would be prepared lo indicate, nt the next meelin:,' of (he committee, the points that, had not been answered. It was mentioned Hint the committee would meet again on Tuesday next, and Hint, all witnesses would then he available'. Sir Jas. Carroll (lo Jlr. Massey): "1 am sorry that you have lo impose such ;\n infliction upon us." (Laiiglitn , .) Mr. itns.-.ey: "I hope you won't look fit it in that way. 1 assure you I intend to assist (ho committee in cv«ry possible way." After Mr. Jfnsscy had wit.lidraivn, it wa.s agreed (hat flu witnfsses named should bo summoned (o allend (he committee on Tuesday ami Wednesday next. Tho meeting then adjourned.

A revised list of farm properties for falo or exchange is advertised in our farm columns, by Messrs. Miller anil liuttpr, land and cstafl , agents, I'annina Street, Wellington. Lovers of the old Scottish Psalms njul tunes will be interested in an announcement in another column relating to a lecture in tho Kent Ten-ace Presbyterian Church this evening. Particulars o[ Sea ton's Great Cutrato Kale, Willis Street, am advertised elsewhere in this issue. Tho prices of t ho various articles for sale are given in the advertisement. '' Mr. M. ]?:iwson, architect, invites tenders for tho creel ion of a building, in reinforced concrete, in Cuba Streel. A great bargain sale of llannelette is being held by Alibis. Qiinee lii-os.. Willis Street, 10-ilny. Particulars will be louml in om- ivautsd .columns.