MOKAU.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1034, 24 August 1911, Page 2

MOKAU.

AGAIN BEFORE NATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

MR MASSEY’S EVIDENCE

Wellington, August 22. The Mokau land transaction was further considered by the Native Affairs Committee on Tuesday. Mr Jennings (chairman) drew attention to the report appearing in the papers to the effect that he had stated that he did not wish to narrow the inquiry, whereas Mr Massey had made that remark. Mr Massey recounted the history of the case and pointed out that the meeting at which the Order-iu-Council was made was presided over by Sir Jas. Carroll, and was held on March 15. The sale was confirmed by the Maori Laud Board on March 22 and was not gazetted until March 30. He held that the syndicate did not propose to part with the mineral rights, which will give them a monopoly over the coal-bearing areas of the West Coast of the Taranaki provincial district. The N Government had made a serious mistake in allowing the block to be purchased by private individuals. The Government should have acquired the land, and after disposing of the coal-bearing arens cut up the block under the optional system. Sir James Carroll asked if Mr Massey was correctly reported in saying that Jones’ title became void and the natives had resumed occupation of the land. Mr Massey said that was not quite right. He did not suggest that the land had not legally passed from the natives to Lewis. With regard to the statement that the Government could have bought the laud for 10s qd, he hoped to be able to prove that the Government could have purchased the land for less. His point was that the Government should have purchased from the native owners and that the European settlers should not be exploited by syndicates. It was just a matter of opinion whether the Government should ' have bought the laud or whether private enterprise should have been allowed to acquire it. Future settlers would not be able to get on the land on such easy terms as the Government could have given. He had not the run of the Departmental papers, and therefore could not be strictly accurate with regard to details.

Mr Ngata asked if Mr Massey’s case might not be boiled down to two issues: That the issue of the Order-in-Council was dertimental to public interests, and that it was against the interests of the native owners.

Mr Massey refused to commit himself. He had heard that three different valuations of the property had placed it at less than the price paid by the syndicate.

JOSHUA JONES GIVES

EVIDENCE

Wellington, August 23, The Mokau transaction was further considered by the Native Affairs Committee this morning.

Joshua Jones was called, and in reply to a question by Mr Jennings said he was only there to answer questions and would have more to say later. Ee said the area of the Mokau block was 56,500 acres. Some of the valleys were very rich. The hilly country was fit for sheep, and coal was plentiful there. He did not know of any richer country in New Zealand. Mr Jones said the syndicate would have a monopoly over the coal-bearing country on the West Coast of Taranaki. He had received an offer from Tondon in April, 1910, of for his interest in the lease. He was given to understand that the Government would sanction the deal, but was subsequently informed that Cabinet had decided not to go on with the deal. Mr McNab, on behalf of the Government, declined to have anything to do with the purchase of his interests in the block in March, 1908. At this time Mr Herman Dewis was negotiating for the purchase of the property from the executors of Flowers, who held the mortgages over the land.

Continuing, witness stated that he understood from Sir James Carroll in 1908 or 1909 that the Government was anxious to purchase the block, the price mentioned being An Order-in-Council permitting the sale of the block was issued by Cabinet on December 5 and on December 8 he met Sir Joseph Ward, who told him he (Ward) would put the matter right for him.