SIR JAMES CARROLL.

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 July 1911, Page 6

SIR JAMES CARROLL.

INTERESTING SPEECH AT INVERCARGILL.

NATIVE LAND QUESTION. REPLY TO LEADER OF OPPOSITION. [BT telegraph—per press association.] INVERCARGILL, June, 30. Sir James Carroll, the Acting-Prime Minister, accompanied by the Hon. Mr 'Ngata. returned to-day from the Western District of Southland, and to-night Sir Janies Carroll addressed a large audience in the Municipal Theatre, when he was given a most cordial reception. The Acting-Premier’s speech consisted entirely of an exposition of the native land legislation, and of a defence of the Government’s borrowing policy, the latter part being on the lines of the speeches on the subject made already by Sir James and other Ministers. He explained that his special mission was to prevent any misapprehension arising in the minus of the public as the result of the remarks concerning the unoccupied native lands made by Mr. Massey on his recent tour in Southland. Sir James Carroll explained in detail the significance of the legislation affecting Maori lands passed since the present Ministry came into power. He said that he had already flatly contradicted the statements made by Mr. Massey as to the extent of unoccupied native lauds, and he was still waiting for Mr. Massey’s reply. Mr. Massey’s allegations regarding both the size of unoccupied areas and tho danger of native landlordism, he characterised as a tissue of misstatements. Mr. Massey, he continued, had had on two different occasions stated the area of native land unoccupied at very different figures. Once he had stated tho area at six million acres, and then at four million. Both these statements were absolutely wrong. Of the six million acres of land now owned by the natives in tho North Island, practically four • million acres were in profitable occupation, leaving a balance of but two million aCTOS of unoccupied native lands; and 01 this bal-ance-more than half, or over million acres was visited in the Public and other trustees, was incorporated for settlement-, or was vested in Land Boards for lease. Sir James Carorll declared that Mr. Herries was the only member of the Opposition who know anything about native affairs. Mr. Herries bad never been guilty of the false criticism that was levelled at the Government by Messrs Massey, Allan and Herdman. The Hon. Mr, Ngata also spoke, and was given a cordial reception. The speakers at the close were accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. The A c fi n S-P ren dcr’s purty leave tomorrow for Gore, where Sir James Carroll speaks in tho evening. He goes to Dunedin on Monday, and will speak there on Tuesday.