MR HORAN'S COMPLAINT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15707, 8 March 1913, Page 10

MR HORAN'S COMPLAINT.

INVESTIGATION PENDING. (Fboii Qua Own Cobbesfondent.) ' WELLINGTON, March 6. Some Opposition newspapers are still commenting upon a Southland land transaction in which a Mr Wilson succeeded in obtaining a section of. 400 acres of land at a ballot while a Mr Horan was unsuccessful. These newspapers allege that , the Southland Land Board acted improperly in giving the section to a man who was already,.in possession of a..certain area, on the understanding that he should dispossess himself of the land he already occupied on taking up the ,Grown land. Questioned on the subj&t this evening, the Prime Minister (the Hon. W. J)'. Massey) said that he had already-notified the Lands Department that he intended to have the whole matter inquired into by the Lands. Committee' of: the House of Representatives next-session: '" I have requested the department,", added the Prime Minister, ■" to be ready, with the documents and witnesses, and the Lands Committee will have power to call for any persons and papers that may be necessary in connection with the inquiry. I have perfect confidence in the Land Board having done the. right thing," concluded Air Massey,, " and' when any imputation- to tlie contrary is made it is necessary that the whole question should be cleared up and that .any falsehoods told should be exposed."