MINISTER AND MEMBER

Evening Star, Issue 19802, 28 February 1928, Page 14

MINISTER AND MEMBER

A SHARP REPLY LAND FOR SOLDIERS. [Peh United Press Association.] DANNEVIRKE. February 27. Replying to a challenge issued by Mr A. D. M‘Leod (Minister of Lands) at Te Awanmtu last week to publisii the price at which he offered his property to the Government for soldier .settlement and 1 also tbe Government valuation at the time the offer was made, Mr E. A. Ransom (member for I’abiatua) writes to the ‘News’ stating that Mr M l Leod is at liberty to publish every detail of the offer made by him to sell land to the Government lor soldier settlement. The land was offered about 1920, and from memory bo believed that the price was about £4O per acre. The land was situated at Ruaroa, consisting of 655 acres of well improved land. Ho subsequently sold 254 acres at £52 10s per acre, the purchaser being well satisfied with his bargain, and the balance of 401 acres ho still held.

Concluding, Mr Ransom says; “It is characteristic of Mr M’Leod to make personal attacks on his fellow-members. Ho has more than onco discussed my private affairs on the floor of the House when not able to answer my arguments, but it is not usual for him to get so far out of his reach when making these personal attacks. If there was anything wrong with the offer I made to the Crown to sell land, then why has the Minister waited five years to make his challenge? Evidently what 1 told my audience at Whangarei has annoyed the Minister, and I have got a bite; but why this broadcast attack through the Press by innuendo? I do not fear facts. They cannot hurt me, but insinuation is calculated to do so. Previously I have refrained from making any personal attacks upon the Minister of Lands in respect to recent purchases for settlement, but now that ho has taken the gloves off I am quite ready for fight, but hope I shall not bo guilty of hitting below the belt.”