Breezy Turn Marks Taupo Line Inquiry

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 772, 19 September 1929, Page 11

Breezy Turn Marks Taupo Line Inquiry

BIAS ALLEGED CHAIRMAN’S ATTITUDE Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. The methods adopted by the chairman of the M to Z Committee, Mr. T. W. McDonald, questing the principal witness in support of the Taupo-Rotorua railway petition were criticised by members of the committee in the course of a breezy interlude which took place today. It was alleged tfie chairman showed political bias and that the inquiry was not being conducted on strictly impartial lines. This was denied by the chairman. Mr. E. Vaile said that he had offered ,0 000 acres of land to the Government m’d pointed out that this was qualified the condition that he should have tie right to sell to any other person [util the Government had actually paid tbe deposit. "This is a worthless thing,” said Mr. if Vi*. McDonald, M.P. for Wairarapa. Witness: It is an offer. Mr. McDonald: Conditional on the Ulway going through. | Witness: Certainly. Mr. McDonald: Yet you say you (j on ’t want to get anything out of it. Tou must know the railway is going trough before you will agree to sell Up the Government. Should the trsyer of the petition be granted you’ll IpU to the Government. ; witness: Yes, otherwise there is no Kill for it. Mr. McDonald: I submit that this is L attempt on your part to get the Government to construct this line'. Mr. H. S. S. Kyle, M.P. for Rlccarlioa, said that he showed that he was satisfied with the value of the railway. did not see why the chairman Jhould give a personal opinion. They »ere there to hear evidence. Mr. R. Semple, M.P., for Wellington sa*t, said that the chairman was slowing a bad example to the committee. The investigation should be a broad as possible, without feeling or prejudice. Mr. Chairman: I am not. Mr. Semple: I want to say you are. Yoa have practically demonstrated political bias, and I object to it. Mr. A. M. Samuel, M.P. for Thames, »lso alleged that bias had been shown md said that the committee should sit in a judicial capacity and not pass opinions on statements until afterwards. Mr. McDonald said that his only object was to get at the bottom of the railway proposal.