P.M. denies part in land sale claim

Press, 14 November 1978, Page 2

P.M. denies part in land sale claim

PA Wellington The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) has denied allegations that the Government helped finance the sale of Hakataramea Station, in South Canterbury, to private interests. He was commenting at a ’ news conference yesterday ion the claims made by Mr IT. M. F. Taylor, of Oamaru, I who has called for an iniquiry into the Government’s !part in the-sale. 1! Mr Muldoon described Mr -ITaylor as a ‘‘dissident Nati ’ ional Party supporter” with ■; no official status, and said ,; he had never had much conricem for “these self--appointed action committees. “My information from the ’ Rural Bank is that they ..'have no money in it at all,” ’[Mr Muldoon said. J Mr Muldoon said he did -not know the source of the ■ finance. “It’s hot my job to J inquire,” he said. J The requirements of a ju- _! dicial inquiry into the purJ chasing of the Hakataramea H Station and supporting evijdence would be presented to -Mr Muldoon on Friday, said Mr Taylor yesterday. • Mr Taylor, deputy chair- ' man of the Waitaki County ■ Council, organised a meeting at Kurow last month at I which the Government’s ■ decision not to buy the station was strongly criticised.