HON. R. McLEOD.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1928, Page 3

HON. R. McLEOD.

i. CHALLENGE TO CRITICS. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) j. TE AWAMUTU, Feb. 24. ir Xgaroma settlement, thirty-five miles from To Awamutu was classed its a cattle tick area last week. A mass. s meeting at 'Auckland resolved 'that the Government's treatment of settlers amounted to a scandal and the Auckr land Farmers Union also strongly l criticised the Government. Mr McLeod (Minister of Lands) e challenged the organisers of these meetings to meet him on the public ) platform and Te Awamutu Town Hall ! was crowded last night. 7 Mr Hall Skelton for tlie mass meet- . J ing organisers telegraphed that short i notice precluded bis attendance, but lie offered to meet the Minister at Auckland. ■ Air Robertson for the Farmers Union attended and delivered a short address. Air McLeod traversed the history of the settlement and stated definitely that the Government would not entertain any idea of compensation for bush sickness areas, but settlers who were prepared to play the game were advised to forfeit sections to the Crown when justice would be done them,, in a readjustment of valuations when tile sections allotted them, lie detailed the remissions already made.

1 The Minister strongly coiulonim . .Mr Holland's action in seeking' i party advantage on the Samoan que I lion. Throughout the history of Bri ish politics ]>art.v loaders united o their foreign policy, keeping a quo: tion perhaps affecting the lives < those in overseas possessions, a hot the level of party politics. Mr Jfol land’s talk about Magna Chart a air the rights of individuals was canton flage declared Mr McLeod, who in stanced the Makura seamen <pmrrel liup: with a fellow wane earner ant refusing to take people. He deplor ed such a traversity of British .ins tiee yet Mr Holland never pnhlieh denounced the eondnet of the seamei concerned. Referring to Mr J{ msom’s coodemnation of Ihe Government purchase of land for returned soldiers settlement the Minister incited Mr ltansom to permit him to publish the price Mr Hansom offered his properly for soldiers settlement, and also the Government valuation of tha property at the time the offer was made.