The Censure Motion

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8209, 3 August 1905, Page 5

The Censure Motion

(Received This Morning, at 12.15 a.m.) Sydney, Last Night.

Mi - G. McGowan moved his censure motion to-day. He accused the Premser of covering up the land encpiiry, not to shield himself but to shield others. Ho was the head of the Government that had appointed the Commission, and their legal adviser was the principal offender. The Government had been guilty from start to finish of laxity ancl indifference in regard to the Commission. There never was in the history of Australia, he said, such a blow to the purity of public life. They had members of Parliament accepting fees as land agents, then securing concessions for their clients, documents were missing and witnesses were nou est. (Received To-day. at 10.25 a.m.) Sydney, This Day. Mr McGowan asserted that a power of attorney from Willis to his wife was drawn up by the Premier's linn in May last, and that the Premier must have been aware of Willis' intention to leave Australia. The Premier absolutely denied any knowledge of the document. He knew nothing more of Willis' departure than appeared in the newspapers. The Government, he said, were anxious to bring Willis back, but up to the present time he saw no way legally to do so. A Bill was now being prepared to appoint two Commissioners for two years to inquire into the whole administration of State lands.