MR MASSEY & MOKAU

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7868, 2 August 1911, Page 1

MR MASSEY & MOKAU

“A MOST RIDICULOUS CHALLENGE.”

ANOTHER, DEMAND • FOB INQUIRY. Mr Massey spoke of (ho Mokan lands in tho House of Representatives last night, though he stated that nothing had developed since he had referred to tho matter on the platform. “What about the challenge?” astodMr Witty (Kiccarton). Mr Massey: Tho most idiotic challenge that was ever put into print! Ho did

not know whether' the acting-Primo Minister intended him to take the initiative, hut ho hoped that a clear statement would be made and the transaction inquired into from top (o bottom before

the session came to an end. Mr Jennings (Taumarvmni): I eduij have something to say too.'

Mr Massey said that in spite of all the dust-throwing about challenges, and squirming and twisting of various people, his facts had' stood. His challenger referred to the Mokau Land Company but ho (Mr Massey) hardly knew of its existence. These 53,000 acres of land were sold on account of the native owners for .£25,000 and ,£2300 worth of shares in a company then being formed. Mr Jennings: Not correct. Mr Massey: I challenge the hon. gentleman. The sale worked out at 10s lid per acre.

Mr Jennings: What about the sublessees ?

Mr Massey added that the Order-in-Counoil was issued on March Xsth, and the meeting of assembled owners took place on March 22nd. The sale was confirmed by the Maori Loud Board on the 2-1 tb, and tho “Gazette’ 5 notice did not appear until tho 30th, when tho whole transaction was completed. He challenged anyone to deny the accuracy of those facts.' As for the land itself, ho quoted a “New Zealand Times 55 paragraph showing that the land was considered to bo exceptionally good grazing country. “X have no doubt that statement was inspired, but I am not sure," continued Mr Massey. • THE AREA LIMITATION.

Parliament never contemplated allowing under such circumstances the limitation of area clause to bo stretched beyond the 400 acres of first-class laud set down in the Act as the maximum individual holding. A settler could only get that area, but it seemed to be cliCtorent when friends of the Government came along. The Government had sold to a syndicate of specula,tors- the ’ right to . exploit the settlers. It. was one of the most disgraceful transactions ever heard of in tho history of the country.', .Sir James Carroll: Steady! Mr Massey: I feel strongly. Ho believed, the Government could have bought the land and referred tho whole question of compensation to a court of arbitration. It was a transaction unsatisfactory to all parties except, the syndicate- The land should have been bought .by the Government and thrown open for settlement under the optional system. MB FOWLDS 5 COMMENT.

Referring to the case later in the evening the Hon. G. Fowlds said that Mr Massey had miserably fallen into a mare’s nost. Ho trusted that the ‘subject would be thoroughly inquired into, and when this was done no discredit would attach to the Government. On sije contrary the Government deserved credit for pilo'ting the ship of State through a clangorous series of negotiations, and getting through without a liability that might have attached to the .Lund Transfer Department. Mr Ma&sey had endeavoured to besmirch the Government by referring to Mr McNab’s connection with the matter, but Mr McNab had never had anything to do with it before the formation of the Mokau Lands Company.