LAND BOARD MEMBERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9834, 27 June 1914, Page 5

LAND BOARD MEMBERS.

CHARGE OF PARTISANSHIP.

MR MASSEY'S DENIAL.

(Bt Telegraph.) (From Ocb Pablumkntabt* Repobtef.) WELLINGTON, June 26. The first passage at arms of the session took place shortly after the House met this afternoon in connection with a notice of a question by Mr Forbes relating to a recent appointment to the Marlborough Land Board. The question as read by Mr Forbes implied that a political opponent of tho Government had been removed from the Land Board in order to make room for a political supporter. Tho Primo Minister declared that the statement that he had removed a member of a Land Board in order to make room for a political supporter was contrary to fact. Mr Forbes: You made the statement yourself! Mr Massey said that it had been stated by members of the "Flying Squadron" that he had said that he would have no man on a Land Board who was not one of his political supporters. "That statement," Mr Massey declared with marked emphasis, "is false. That statement I say is a falsehood." Voices: Order! order ! Sir Joseph Ward: The Prime Minister said last session that he would not place any one on a I*and Board who was not prepared to give effect to his policy. Sir Joseph said that statement implied that all men appointed to the Boards must be Government supporters. Mr Massey: No, no. I said last year, and I say it again as Minister for Lands, that I will not place on any Land Board a man whom I know to be antagonistic to my land policy. The "Flying Squadron" and other Opposition speakers in the recess, however, have omitted to say that half the men whom I have appointed to Land Boards were political opponents. Opposition chorus: Give the names Mr Massey: Yes, lam prepared to give the names. Mr McCallum (Wairau): That has not been the case in Marlborough. Mr Massey: lam not prepared to say that it has happened in Marlborough, but I repeat that half the m.m whom I have appointed have been opposed to me politically in past years. Opposition members: Yes, in the past? Mr Massey said that it was apparently suggested that because political opponents had been appointed that they had become political supporters, but he knew nothing of their politics, "The . Leader of the Opposition." Mr Massey added amidst laughter, "voted for my land policy last year, and I would. be quite prepared to put him on a Land Board." Sir Joseph Ward: I have never been a nominated member of any Board in my life. The discussion then terminated.