A Question of Veracity.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 266, 15 May 1907, Page 2

A Question of Veracity.

It is generally believed that all sorts of wild statements are permissible at election time, and, therefore, it is hardly wise to take too much notice of what has been going on in Taranaki lately; but there is one misrepresentation by the Native Minister which has been telegraphed broadcast, and deserves more than passing notice. We refer to the statement made by Mr Carroll that the Leader of the Opposition had made an assertion to the effect that a lease in perpetuity terminated on the death of the lessee, which was contrary to the fact. At a meeting on Saturday last Mr Massey pointed out that what ho did say was that a member of the Ministry had said that was so, and in support of his contention he read the following extract from a speech by the Hon. J. A. Millar, as reported in Hansard of October 9, 1905 : — '■ Mr Millar said: " I say we have a right as trustees of the people, to say that the death of the tenant terminates the lease, but we pay for interest and improvements. There s no contract broken. The contract is between the lessee and the Crowu, and the hon. gentleman cannot show that there can be any breach of contract when the Crown never touches iho lease so long as the tenant lives.'" An hon. member: "Lives for 999 years?" Mr Millar: "However long he lives, he has still got it ; but if he dies, there is a fresh contract." An hon. member: "Then you rob his widow?" Mr Millar: " You do not rob his widow." An lion, member : " But you propose to." Mr Millar: " You do not propose to. You do not make a contract with the widow."