The Land Scandal

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume V, Issue 1394, 3 August 1905, Page 3

The Land Scandal

Another Sensation • i f Press Association.—Copyright. ' . Sm'ET, this day. McNair, Willlis's clerk, throw soma further light yesterday on the Haynes-Mel-villo affair, lie stated that Melville told, him that Hnynes and others. wero eonspiring to blackmail AVillls, and oilored to swear in iuforination if necessity arose, Ho subsequently roturned to witness and said that the whole affair 'could be arranged for £SOO. Witness was indignant at Melville's action, ani said ho had no authority to do what he ..did. McNair read sevoral telegrams which pas?ed between him and Willis, which showed that ihe latter had boon temporising-with Molvillo with the view of trapping Molvillo. and Haynes as blaokmailors, Vole ot Censure oil Goveriinmit Speech by ihe Mover Sidney, this day. Mr, MoGowan moved his censure motion yesterday. Hoacoused the Promier of covering up the land inquiry, uot to shield himself, but to shield ot'iiors. He was head of the Government that appoint; ed the Commission and tho legal adviser, who was the piinoipal offender. The Ooverment had been guilty from start to finish of laxity and indifference in regard ; to the Commission. There had never been in the history of Australia such a blow at the purity of public life. They lud members of Parliament accepting fees a? laud agents and securing concessions for their clients. The documents wore missing, and tho witnesses non est, Mr McGowan asserted that tho power of atlornoy from Willis to his wife had been drawn up by the-Promiei's firm in May last, and that the Premier must hnvo been aware of Willis's intention to leave Australia, . The Premier absolutely denied any knowledge ot tho document, and said he knew, nothing more of Willis's deputise than appeared in .the papers, The Government were anxious to bring him back, but up to the present he saw no way to legally do so. A Bill was noiy being pre. pared to appoint two years to inquiro into the whole working of the administration of lands.