THE MOKAU.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 135, 29 November 1911, Page 4

THE MOKAU.

THE PREMIER IN DEFENCE. At Hawera Sir Joseph Wand went into the history of the Mokau affair from the time when Mr. Jones acquired certain leasehold rights at Mokau, and subsequently was inet with' difficulties which Jed to the land being offered for sale to satisfy the claims of a- firm of London solicitors. Personally, ho was anxious then to help Mr. Jones, and brought the matter before Cabinet, as a result of which the Government decided to purchase the Hand if possible. But various difficulties arose, which he detailed, and in the end the interests of the -London solicitors, Messrs. Flowers and Co., were sold, and were bought by Mr. Herman Lewis. The Government were still ready to buy the estate, and sent up its valuers to report upon the land. Some of. the Sand was valued at nothing, and some of it only at ">s, and the highest valuation placed upon the land was £25,000, although it was recommended' to buy it for £30,000. Then difficulties arose in consequence of the lapses alleged! to have occurred thirty years ago. The Government could not take the land compulsorily, because it was native land, and if they had purchased in' the .ordinary way from the holders of wHat were originally Jones' interests pliey would hare been face to face- with serious litigation, claiming some thousands of pounds. So ultimately they decided they would not touch' dt, but let the natives do what they Hiked, and to assist in a settlement, removed by Order-ih-Council restriction* on the sale of the land, permitting a sale under conditions which would ensure small settlement. Thie land! was bought, in the 'first instance, by an Oppositionist as a speculation, then from him by a syndicate, and finally by a company, in which Mr. McNaß came to hold an interest, and this company got it under conditions of limitation' of area in the settlement, to be effected in three years limitations similar to those imposed under the Lands for Settlements Act. The company had to road and survey and settle the land, and he had been told by people who knew the land that they were glad they were not in the transaction. However, very largely, no doubt, owing to the fact that Mr. McNab was associated with the company, Mt. Massey made what he called "a "statement"— his solicitor made "a charge"—ami a Pariiamentary enquiry was held. Tfie committee reported' entirely favorably to the Government, and Mr. Herries, a member, of the Opposition, and for a time acting-chairman of 'the Committee,, who 'had a very good knowledge of such matters, declared ttiab, in his opinion, the natives got a fair price for the land. He wished to point out that it never was Government tad, that If the Government had bouglifr it they would have 'had to face al sorts of difficulties, which would have run up tflie cost to far above its value, and would have had to pay the New Plymouth Harbor Board 25 per cent, of the proceeds' of its sale or lease. The best had been done,, but the Opposition were trying to oatch votes out of "a scandal" which had' never happened. (Applause.)— Star. , ■„