THE MINISTER OF LANDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6402, 4 February 1899, Page 7

THE MINISTER OF LANDS.

HIS TRIP TO ENGLAND.

The Minister of Lands, who arrived from the south last night, was questioned on hisarrival on several matters of interest.

With regard to his projected trip to the Old Country, Mr M'Kenzie said that he hoped to leave for England during the first week in April, and to be back in the , colony about October. Heshould go Home as Minister of Lands, and the other members of the Cabinet wonld do as they did in the case of the Premier's absence in 1597, that was to say, thejr would divide amongst themselves the work of the several departments under bis charge. He intended, in order to facilitate i the work of the Ministers, to wind up the affairs of these departments for the financial year, and to have the various reports brought well up to date. All matters in connection with the estates purchased during the year wonld be also gone into nd settled by him. r

In respect to Waikakahi, the Ministe stated that the estate would be thrown open for selection about March 20. Incoming tenants would be given possession on April 1. Everything in connection with the opening of the estate, was in a very-forward condition, and he hoped to have everything ready on his return to Wellington.

In reply to a question as to the position of affairs in regard to the Hainma Estate case, the Minister said that the Government intended to set up a fresh Court of Arbitration under the Act, in place of the late Court, which was dissolved owing to the arbitrators being unable to arrive at an agreement. Certain legal preliminaries had-to be gone through, but assoon as the Government could get these through the Court the. matter was to be proceeded with. On his return to Wellington the Government would decide on its assessor. Mr M'Kenzie explained that the personnel of the Court was, by the Act, required to be changed in the -event of disagreement. Questioned as to the intentions of the Government in the direction of amending the Land for Settlements Act to meet similar cases, the Minister said that it was premature to make a public statement on the question. Referring to the matter of meat inspection, the Minister stated that one or two applications had been received by the Stock Department from meat companies for the appointment of inspectors. The . applications would be considered on hia return to Wellington. With regard to the six veterinary surgeons which the department^&l&btaining from England, he hoped to ajrriyeVJlonie in time to make the selection pecsonally. Questioned as to whether^pjpGovernment.was • following up the- ; report of the Parliamentary Committee on * State f aims presented last session, the Minister said that the Government was obtaining further information on the subject from experts in the Lands and Agricultural Departments as to the practicability of the proposals.

" What are the prospects for the Liberal Party at the general election, judging by observations made during your recent journeyings ? "

"'I think," said Mr M'Kenzie, "that, if the Opposition leaders are going to convert the electors of New Zealand before the general election, they have a big contract before them. The Government was never in better repute than at the present time."