MR. MASSEY AND THE MOKAU

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 35, 4 August 1911, Page 2

MR. MASSEY AND THE MOKAU

'• A MOST RIDICULOUS CHALLENGE." ANOTHER DEMAND FOR ENQUIRY.. Mr. Massey spoke of the Mokau lands in the House of Representatives on Tuesday night, though he stated that nothing had developed since he had referred to the matter on the platform. "What about the challenge?" asked Mr. Witty (Riccarton). Mr. Massey: The most idiotic challenge that was ever put into print! He did not know whether the acting-Prime Minister intended him to take the initiative, but he hoped that a clear statement would be made and the transaction (inquired into from top to bottom before the session came to .an end. Mr. Jennings (Taumarunui): I shall have something to !say,'.too. ■' Mr. Massey^aid - that in spite of all the dust-throwing about'challenges, and squirming and twisting of various people, his facts had stood. His challenger referred to the'Mokau Land' Company,* but he (Mr. Massey).'hardly knew of'its existence. ; These 53,000''acres of land were sold on account tof. the; native owners for £25,000 and £2500 worth of shares in a company then being formed. Mr. Jennings: Not correct. Mr. Massey: I challenge the lion, gentleman. The sale worked out at 10s 4y 3 d per acre.

Mr. Jennings: What about the sub leases '!

'Mr. Massey added that the Order-in-Council was issued on March 15, and the meeting of assembled owners toot place pn March 22. ■The' s:i!e was confirmed by the Maori Land Tmard on the 24th, and the Gazette notice did not appear until the 30th, when the whole transaction was completed. He challenged anyone to deny the accuracy of those facts. A3 for the land itself, ho quoted a New Zealand Times paragraph showing that the land was considered to be exceptionally good grazing country. |'l have no doubt that statement was inspired, but I am not sure," continued Mr. Massey. THE AREA OF LIMITATION.

Parliament never contemplated allowing under such circumstances the limitation of area clause to be stretched beyond the 400 acres of first-class land set down in the Act as the maximum individual holding. A settler could only get that area, but it seemed to be different when friends of the Government came along. The Government had sold to a syndicate of speculators the right to exploit the settlers. It was one of the, most disgraceful transactions ever heard of in the history of the country. Sir James Carroll:'Steady!

Mr. Massey: I feel strongly. He believed the Government could have bought the land and referred the whole question of compensation to a court of arbitration. It was a transaction unsatisfactory to all parties except the syndicate. The land should have been bought by the Government and thrown open for settlement under the optional system. 'MR. FOWLDS' COMMENT.

Referring to the case later in the evening, the Hon. G. Fowlds said that Mr. Massey had miserably fallen into a mare's nest. He trusted that the subject would be thoroughly enquired into, and when this was done no discredit would attach to the Government. On the contrary, the Government deserved credit for piloting the ship of State through without a liability that might have attached to the Land' Transfer Department. Mr. Massey had endeavored to besmirch the Government by referring' to Mr., McNab's connection' with tb« matter, but Mr. McNab had never had anything to do with it before the formation of t'u« Mokau Lands Compaay.