LAND SCANDAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1492, 28 June 1905, Page 2

LAND SCANDAL.

PREMIER CARRUTHERS IN HIS DEFENCE.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Oopyrlghl Received 1C.45 p.m., June 27. Sydney, June 27.

At the Land Commission counsel for Willis submitted that it was not fair to enquire into matters wherein Willis’ name appeared until the case whereon Willis was arrested had been dealt with. It might prejudice the public against Willis. Mr Justice Qwen said that as far as the Rea case was concerned the matter would not be gone into, but in respect to staying enquiry into other cases he Baw no reason to do so at present.

Mr Carrutbers, reaffirming that ho knew nothing of any of the cases involved in the enquiry wherein his firm bad uotsd, added that in order to avoid the possibility of association with matters of any public character in his legal position he had decided to retire from the practice of his profession for at least two years longer if he should have the misfortune to continue in office. Owing to his duties as Premier he bad no time to attend to private business. He bad got his name and fortune involved in matters over whioh he had no control,^ In the Assembly Mr Carrutbers, in I reply to a series of questions, informed the I House that the Government were intro- I dueiog a Bill to give the Lands Gommis- I sioners power analagous to a Supreme I Court Judge for ensuring the attendance I of witnesses.