"ALLEGED CORRUPTION."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 240, 10 April 1912, Page 2

"ALLEGED CORRUPTION."

To the Editor. Sir, —My attention has been drawn to an article in your paper, copied from the Eltham Argus, headed, "Alleged Corruption." This article imputes to me statements that I did not make, and then denies them—the usual style of article from this class of paper., While speaking at Stratford I accused no one of corruption. After speaking in appreciation of Mr. Hino's action as regards commissions on sale of land to the Government under the Lands for SettleKent Act, I stated that since* then Government members had sold lands to the Government, and that in my opinion * it should be stopped, instancing local body members not being allowed to trade [ ■with local foodies, even to the amount of £lO. I did not impute corruption in the cases that I alluded to, but I am of opinion it should 'be stopped, as suspicious persons will at once impute corruption (instance the editor of the Eltham Argus). Xow, as to the challenge that Government members have not sold lands to the Government—l did not say to the Lands for Settlement Board—l will ask the editor of the Argus to enquire into the sale of a portion of a block of land or. the Taupo-Xapier road, owned by the ' Hon. G. AV. Russell, to the Government; J also the sale of ex-member for Waikato's ' (Mr. Greenslade's) farm at Ohaupo under I the Land Settlement Finance Act, and ! then state publicly in his paper whether I was justified in what I said at Stratford.—'l am, etc., J. V. PEAKCE. Castlehill, Kakaramea, '6/4/12. i