MOKAU LAND PURCHASE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 26, 25 July 1911, Page 8

MOKAU LAND PURCHASE

MR. MASSEY'S. OPINIONS. Auckland, July 22. Speaking to a Herald representative, Mr. Massey, referring to the statements made by Sir James Carroll in reply to Mr. Mas soy's review of the Mokau estate maitter, said: "Sir James Carroll evaded the issues I raised. Firstly, the report of the Commission was to the effect that the leases were illegal, and even if accepted as legal the conditions had not been complied with; consequently, they were void and the land had become ordinary native land. Such being the ■ case, why was the land not opened up with the limitation conditions, as provided iby the Act of 1009? or why did the Government not purchase the land om its own account and open it under tho Land Act? What has been done is, as far as it is possible to judge, that tho land lia« been purchased at very much below its valuo f.r,om the native owners, and the European settlers will be exploited by a syndicate of speculators who have received permission to do so by an Order-in-Council, because presumably they are friends of the Government." "I asked Sir Jam-es Carroll," concluded 3 Mr. Massey, "for an inquiry into the . whole of the circumstances, and up to ) the (present he has not seen fit to reply in the affirmative."

NO OBJECTION TO INQUIRY. Sir James Carrol), interviewed to-day, stated that Mr. Massey can have the fullest inquiry in regard to the Mokau land transactions. There should be an exhaustive inquiry by the Legislature irato every phase of the Mokau transaction; all of the papers and individuals connected with it should ba examined lor the purpose of determining whether justification exists for one single allegation at impropriety, sacrifice of public interest or imposition upon the native owners (says the Wellington Times). It will then be seen by the electors what grounds Mr. Massey had l far saying as he does to-day that "a syndicate of speculators received permission [to exploit European settlers] by an Order-in-Council, because, presumably, they are friends of the Government." Even in this phrase there is a suggestion of something discreditable. If It were true the Government would very rightly be driven from office. But if it be baseless? We leave the answer on the one side to the friends of Messrs. Mason and Bernard Chambers, Tl. D. D. McLean, A. G. S. Oarlyon, Paul Hunter, and William Nelson; on the other to the friends of Sir James Carroll and Mr. McNab. Mr. Massey should have this inquiry, and we earnestly hope that he may feel the better for it. That he will approach subsequent discussion on the Molcau blocik with a chastened and contrite mind may be regarded in advance aa crtain.