CHEVIOT SALE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8559, 23 October 1913, Page 8

CHEVIOT SALE

LAND COMMITTEE’S REPORT. , The chairman of tho Lands Committee (Mr E. Newman) brought down tho report regarding tho sale of section 20, block IX., Cheviot district, concerning which there was a great deal of discussion some weeks ago. The committee reported as follows: —“That having heard the evidence of the witnesses tbe committee is of opinion that there is not’the slightest evidence to support the suggestion that either tho Minister for Lands or tho Lands Department was actuated or influenced by political motives in deciding to offer the section by auction under the conditions of tho Cheviot Estate Disposition Act, 1893, and that the statement made by Mr Gibson in his letter quoted by Mr G \V. Forbes, M.P., which reads as follows;—‘Mr Massey’s supporters had approached him to allow the section to remain in possession of the previous tenant who farms the adjoining land,’ was without foundation in fact.” ABOUT INFLUENCE. Mr Forbes (Jlurunui) said that Mr Gibson had before the committee given his impression that some outside influence had been brought to bear on tho Minister for Lands to get him to interfere with the decision of the Land Board. But as no evidence of that influence could be adduced, in view of its confidential nature, he (Mr Forbes) was prepared to accept tho Minister's assurance that no influence had been brought to bear on him. His original statement, however, that an unusual occurrence in connection with the disposal of the land had taken place was verified, and outside influence had been brought to bear. The lessee had sent a letter to the Minister asking that ho be allowed to retain the section/ and this letter was sent on to the • board. This was the only evidence of influence. He related the facts in connection with the land, the board having decided that the land was suitable for letting on renewable lease. Soon after their decision, word came from tho Minister that the land was suitable for sale by auction. The evidence was produced to show why this unusual course had been adopted regarding this section of land. “A THOROUGH GENTLEMAN.”The Prime Minister said that Mr Forbes had forgotten to tell the House that ho had voted for the recommendation of tho committee. As far as this letter from an individual named Gibson Mr Russell: “Why refer to Mr Gibson in such contemptuous terms? He’s a thorough gentleman 1” Mr Massey: “Perhaps I will be able to put a different view of the matter before I have finished as far as Mr Gibson is concerned.” Tho Cheviot; Estate Disposition Act provided for 50 per cent, being paid, in one month, and the other 50 per cent, in five years, when sections were sold by auction. Were these unfair terms? Surely a man who went on tho land could find £45 in one month and £io in another six years, as was required in this case. What had been done in this case was done every day. “A CONSPIRACY.” Reading from the evidence the Prime Minister quoted the opinion of the tenant holding the section that there had been a conspiracy to put him out. Ho (Mr Massey) agreed with that. Opposition members: “Oh!” The Prime Minister: “I do! I do! I say, after hearing the evidence before the committee, that there was a cruel and wicked conspiracy to take away this small section of land from the settler who had occupied it for eighteen years. It apparently had becomo a Naboth/s vineyard so far as Cheviot was concerned.” Mr Forbes; “The Canterbury Land Board went into the whole position. Were they in the conspiracy ?” The Prime Minister, for answer, read evidence from the report, and reaffirmed his opinion as to a conspiracy. The man went on to a section which was quite unimproved, and now he was to be turned off it in his old age. Mr Witty: “He had a yearly tenancy and knew "he might lose it at any time.” The Prime Minister: “I know; It is one of the disadvantages of the leasehold.” Mr Witty; “Especially when yon give it to your friends.” Mr McCallum: “He had 300 acres any way.” Tho Prime Minister spoke until within a minute of tho dinner adjournment, though he was frequently reminded that he was talking out the motion. However. Mr Witty managed to squeeze in a brief speech before the debate was suspended. Ho pointed out that the Canterbury Land Board twice recommended a course which the Prime Minister negatived. Ho as an amendment to the motion that the report be received, and “that in the interests of settlement, more settlement, and still more settlement, the section should be re-opened for selection under renewable lease.” THIRD READINGS. Amendments made in committee to tho River Boards Amendment Bill (Hon. A. L. Herdman), the Water Supply Amendment Bill (Hon. A. L. Herdman), and the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Amendment Bill (Hon. W. F. Massey) were all agreed to on the voices. The bills were read a third time and passed.