LAND SALES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 43, 30 November 1944, Page 4

LAND SALES.

PROCEDURE OF COMMITTEES S (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 29. In an urgent question in the House of Representatives to-day, Mr W. J. Broadfoot (opposition, Waitomo) asked the Minister of Lands (the Hon. C. F Skinner) if ho -was aware that in proceedings before some.land sales committees confidential reports wer© being placed before the committee by the Crown representative, and that the contents of such reports were withheld from parties to the transaction? Did the Minister not agree that such methods were an undesirable departure from the elementary principles which governed procedure before judicial authorities, and would he take immediate steps to prevent such procedure in the future? Mr Skinner said he was not aware of confidential reports being placed before land' sales committees by Crown representatives. On the contrary, Crown representatives had been instructed that they were bound to produce valuations, whether they supported the consideration in the transaction or not. Instructions had also been issued that the Crown should disclose the nature of evidence and valuations to be submitted where-the parties were prepared to do likewise. The Minister said if Mr Broadfoot would give particulars of the cases mentioned h© would have them investigated. Mr Broadfoot: I will do that.