A PUBLIC SERVANT AS TRUSTEE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14160, 28 September 1911, Page 8

A PUBLIC SERVANT AS TRUSTEE.

AN OBJECTION OVERRULED

(SPECIAL TO "TO! PKKBf ">

WELLINGTON, September 27,

Tho action of the president of the Waikato-Maniapoto Land Board in assuming ithe position of trustee in connection with the Mokau land transactions was criticised by the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives early this morning. Mr Massey said that in addition to the salary of £375 which appeared on the Native Affairs estimates, the president of the Board expected to receive about £3 a month from certain speculators'. The Hon. A. T. Ngata raised a point of order, as the matter was before the Native Affairs Committee.

Mr Massey was, however, allowed to ask tho question whether it was a fact that the president of tho Board was to receive a cum of money on account of acting as trustee for a number of men wiho had acquired some land that was a few months ago native land pure and simple? Sir James Cnrroll: That ie so. Mr Maesey: Then he has been placed in a most invidious position. I am not sure that it is not Maori" land even now, , but he has been allowed to mortgage it and to draw travelling expenses. Sir James Carroll enid he was not going to argfue the Mokau cae6 now. Hβ had answered Mr Maspey's plnin question, but he differed from bis views. Mr Massey could move the reduction of the item.

Mr Massey said that was what he hnd intended to do. He moved:— "That the item be reduced by £1 as an indication that the president of the Wnikato-Maniaroto Mnori Land Board had been placed in an improper position by beinc* allowed to act', as trustee of land which a few months nzza wns native land, and vow T>ract>i<\il]v belongs to private individuals, and aJso on account of the fact that he is receiving money from those individuals." Mr Masrey said this was a public matter, and there should bo no mystery or secrecy about it.

Tie motion was defeated by 29 rotes to 15.