POLITICAL INFLUENCE.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13105, 2 May 1908, Page 9

POLITICAL INFLUENCE.

v —- A CHARGE DENIED BY THX PSEMIER. (fbbk association tbumxam.) WELLINGTON, hi*j 1. An allegation; that political infln- , enoe had -been used agamst Mil Me>» nertzhagen in her efforts to obtain tb* land sho claimed in .the "Watmaram* Hawke'a, Bay, was made at a ' """ meeting of the. Hawke'e Bay Land Board on Thursday. Mr Eosteoe Lane, a'newly-elected- representatrre of the .Crown'tenants, said he'was forced to make the assertion that political-infl*-ence had been brought to bear in the matter. He was an eye-witness, ne added, of a me&ting between Mr Donnelly and the Premier, and they btti eince had the benefit of political influence in the matter.

Sir Joseph Ward, questioned cm the subject by a "New Zealand Time* ,, representatire, declared the statement to bo absolutely nntrtte. He had, up. on reading it, Bent the following telegram, to Air Trent, Commissioner of ~ Crown Lands at Napior:—"l notice in the Press report this morning a" eta**-, ment by Mr Lane that political iniln- I ence was used with.' mc by Mr Dotfr* nelly in connection with Miss Meinertahagen'e land matter. This- is absolute-, ly incorrect. Neither Mr Donnelly nor anybody else on bis behalf or other- * wise ever approached mc on the subject which, iff being considered by your l JJoand. Indeed, I hare no petsonal knowledge of it, and hove not interfered in any way, nor, so' far as I know, hare a-oy or my ooUeaguee. It is to bo regretted that a member of the Board, without the slightest warrant, should so far forget himself ac to maJw ; such a statement.". " i ,, , The reply from the Commissioner ■ - in tie following terma:T—"Other members of the Board, Miss Moinert*hagen, and Mr Campbell (couneel for * • Mr Donnelly) took, exception to Mr _ Lane's action as unwarrantable and Ok ' advised." ■■••'. * !