MISSED THE MARK.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15014, 8 July 1914, Page 10

MISSED THE MARK.

THE LATEST LIBERAL "FIND": ALLEGATION AND REPLY. (SPECIAL TO "THE PH.ZSS.") "WELLINGTON, July 7. Some remarks in regard to what he termed an "extraordinary" agreement for the sale of an area of native land at Kaikohe were made by air L. M. Isitt in his speech in the House of Representatives this afternoon. He said that he had information as to the terms of the purchase of about bO acres of tho Kohewata Block at Kaikohe by Mrs "Rachael W. Elliott, of Auckland. The price -was supposed to bo £20 an acre. The transaction was confirmed, Mr Isitt said, by the Native Land Board. The consideration money, confirmed by the Board, was £1600 for 80 «cres, but the area sot forth was 82 acres 10 perches, which meant that tho Maoris were practically robbed of the price of two acres and ten perches. The. Hon. W. H. Hemes: What year «as that in P Mr Isitt: In 1912. Mr Isitt further said that the late President of tho Native Land Board confirmed tho transaction subject to tho production of receipts for the consideration, but that only ono receipt was available, and that was not tor £1000, but for only £720. Tho transfer was issued by tho Native Land xK>ar<l office, although only £720 out ok the £1600 had been paid. Mr Isitt also said that a non-enforceable and unstamped agreement had been put Jn and that he wished to direct the tion of the House to the nature of this agreement. One of the clauses read as follows:—"The 'contractor shall use her best endeavours to promote the location and erection of the Kaikohe railway station and premises on the said land, or as near thereto as possible, and a-} as early a date as possible: 55 . The Hon. W. H. Herriea: Tho whole thing was done before we came into office. Mr Isitt:' That has nothing to do with it." Ho said that ho would like to know what influence Mrs Elliott possessed, or was supposed to possess with tho Reform Government or the Railway Department. He quite expected the Prime Minister to say that she possessed no such influence, and he was quite prepared to accept that statement. If, however, what ho had been told was trne, he would like to know how this lady dared to do such a thing. Surely it was a great insult to the Reform Government that the supposition that undue influence could be brought -to bear upon it could be pnt into tho agreements in this way.. Ho was qjiite prepared to admit that tha lady had no influence whatever, but the agreement was a deliberate attempt on her part, and tftit of the lawyers, to play upon the credulity of the Maoris. Ho considered that the matter, called for strict and immediate investigation. The man who had brought this transaction under i-is notice stated that the most scandalous transactions in native lands were going on every day. He had just heard of a' case in which, a man nad bought a block of native land for £2000, and six weeks '. afterwards sold it for either £7000 or £9000. Not only were the Natives being denuded of their lands, but the European settlers were not even ' getting the benefit of it; the whole henefit was going to the land speculators. He appealed to the Prime Minister, apart from all party considerations, to look into the matter. Mr Isitt's allegations were replied to by Mr W.H.-D. Bell (Wellington Suburbs) in his speech £his evening. -, Ho said, that it had.been pointed out to him that the same statements as those made by Mr Isitt appeared in almost "the same order as delivered by him in-tho current issue of "New Zealand Truth." (Cries of "Oh!]') This newspaper'stated that .the date of the transfer of, the property- was September • 21st, 1912. If this were so, the agreement in all likelihood was made some ftme before the Massey Government same into office. ' Sir Joseph Ward: Mr Isitt read the agreement. ' ' — Another member: He gave the date .of the agreement as September, 1912. 'Mr Belli "The newspaper says that the transfer took place in September." He, ■however, did not see anything in the matter. to reflect x>n any Government. • •Hβ''- adversely - commented on the action of the member for Christchurch" North ;in putting the': statement, into '"Hansard," because he thougii it" was an opportunity of making an attack oh the'present Government. ." The Prime Minister:-The site of tho •Kaikohe station was .fixed long before we-came into office.. ' • , , Mr "Bell.said, that this,fact sTiowed 'that the present.Government was not concerned in the matter. • Mr , Forbes: It is the lawyors on whom tie - reflection was cast. Mr Bell: I, am not hero to defond tho lawyers. . '■ . ,