A SOUTHLAND BALLOT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1692, 7 March 1913, Page 4

A SOUTHLAND BALLOT.

LANDS COMMITTEE TO INQUIRE.' ■ Some Opposition newspapers tiro etill commenting upun a Southland, land transaction in which a Mr; Wilson succeeded in obtaining a section of 400 acres of land at a ballot, while a Mr. Horan was unsuccessful. These newspapers allege that th< Southland Land Board actod improperlj in giving the scction to a man who was already in possession of a certain area, or the understanding that he should dispossess himself of the land lie already occupied 011 taking up tho Crown land. Questioned on the subject last evening, tho Prime Minister (the lion. W. F. Massey) said he had already notified tht Lands Department that ho intended, to have tho whole matter inquired into 'by tho Lands Committee of the House of Representatives next session. "I have requested tho Department," added the Prime Minister, "to be ready with the documents and witnesses, and tlie Lands Committee will have power to call for any persons and papers that may be 1 necessary in connection with tho inquiry. "1 have perfect confidcnco in tho Land Board having done tho right thing," concluded Mr. Massey, "but when any imputation to tho oontrary is made it is necessary that the whole question should be cleared up, and that any falsehoods told] should bo exposed."