OHINGAITI SETTLEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18519, 2 October 1923, Page 8

OHINGAITI SETTLEMENT.

PROVISION OF A ROAD.

LABOUR LEADER'S VIEW. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] "..■' HAMILTON, Monday. A further statement with regard to the Ohingaiti Soldiers' Settlement Block was made by Mr. H. Holland, M.P., Leader of the Labour Party, at a social given in his honour by - the v Hamilton Labour Party.. Mr. Holland; I referring to the Hon. W. Nosworthy's reply to the remarks he made when in Hamilton on Monday, said the Minister- was apparently labouring under a mistake. The speaker said; ho had hot stated that the land was purchased by the Government. His statement was that the goodwill of the native lease held by the vendor 'had. been purchased with Government money, and that for over two. years the soldiers on the block had been left without-road access, notwithstanding • that they went on the land on a distinct promise of the vendor that a road would be provided./ \J Mr. Holland said his purpose in referring to the matter in. Hamilton was to emphasise his case"uv favour- of loading before' settlement. He had further stated that the men had repeatedly appealed to the Government to \ compel the vendor to honour his promise, and, that statement was quite correct. . The deputation referred to by the Minister took place after the matter had been 'raised by the speaker both in ,the : House and on the public platform. ' ; Mr. Holland said he held ■ that where - Government money was involved there should be a responsibility on the Government to see that' proper road access was provided.: r -It was true that a sum of money had been placed on'.-', the last 'Estimates to make the road,- and it was quite right that since the vendor had; net made the road as promised the Government should undertake the work. -' He held, however, that the Government should go • further and should take legal proceedings, as was, promised in. the House, to compel the vendor to make good the Government's expenditure in this respect.