CANARD RETRACTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 185, 7 August 1925, Page 7

CANARD RETRACTED.

A MINISTER AND LAND

MR. CORRIGAN'S ALLEGATION. UNRESERVEDLY WITHDRAWN. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) I WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Prinie Minister gave notice today rtf his intention to move for the appointment of a Select Committee to investigate a statement made by Mr. G'orrigjtii (Patea) On July 15: "It is a very significant fact that one of the Ministers owned the land adjacent to one of the new railway stations on the Henderson line, and that hie land is going to be cut uj>," the committee to report to the House whether there was or was not at any time any foundation for that Statement. The" committee, according to the notice of motion, was to hold its inquiry in public, and to comprise Messrs. de la Perrelle. Hoekly, Holland, Howard, T. W. Rhodes, F. J. Rolleston, Sidey and Wright. Mr. Corrigan Explains. Later on Mr. Corrigart secured leave of the House to make an explanation. "During my speech on the Address-in - Reply, I said, 'It is said by some people that the railways must pay, but I wish to remind them that many stations have been built North of Aueklaud on the Henderson line, and it is very significent that one Minister owne all the land adjacent to a new station, and that the land is going to be cut up.' Now, Mr. Speaker, the statement was made to mc at Auckland while discussing the proposed alterations in the railway tariff, and I believed the information was based on fact." Sir James Parr: Who gave you the information ? Mr. Corrigan: After making further inquiries I find the allegations made to mc were inaccurate and misleading. It is a case of mistaken identity, on account of another person named Parr owning the land referred to. Under the circumstances I think it my duty to unreservedly withdraw the remarks made by mc in connection with this allegation. I may state for the information of the Minister and the Prime Minister that I only got the last letter in connection with this inquiry the day before yesterday. I intended to refer to it yesterday, but was told that thai, according to Standing Orders, I could only refer to a matter of .the last debate by the indulgence of the House. I hope the. Minister and the Prim* Minister will admit that I am playing the game as a man. The Prime Minister: Your statement will be accepted, I am sure. The Minister for Education nodded his head in acceptance, and the House went on with its formal business.