THE PREMIER INTERVIEWED

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 21, 26 January 1897, Page 5

THE PREMIER INTERVIEWED

THE NEW GOVERNOR.

AN UNFOUNDED RUMOUR.

NEW ZEALAJND FINANCE

SURPLUS EXPECTED TO BE

OVER £280,000.

(BT TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Done din, this day.

The Premier and party, accompanied by Mr Glasgow, Secretary of the Customs Department, left Dunedin overland this morning to catch the Manapouri ab Bluff. The Premiers' conference meets en February 2nd.

Mr Soddon, interviewed by the "Star" Parliamentary reporter, said he expected to return to Wellington via Sydney in the first week of March. Parliament will be summoned as usual in June. At the firsb Cabinet meeting after hia reburn the pstibions for the release of Chemis and Flannagan will be finally dealb wibh. Lord Glasgow and himself had parted on the very besb and most friendly terms, with mutual good wishes for their future happiness and prosperity.

The Agent-General has been requested to commun.cate witb the Colonial Office asking thab the New Zealand Governmenb be communicated with prior to the selection of tbe next Governor, bub nothing will be done till Lord Glasgow has lefb the colony.

There is no foundation for tho rumoured reconstruction of the Cabinet.

Sir Maurice O'Rwrke will ,be the Governmenb nominee for the Speakership, but no decision will ba ccme to concerning the Chairmanship of Committees till ib is eesn who are the candidates for the position. Cabinet has decided to fill up the position of Stipendiary Magistrate in Wellington forthwith, and eSecb will be given bo the recommendation of the Goldfields Committee by a moving round of all Stipendiary Magistrates.

The Government, hope before the session begins to have acquired land for workmen's villages adjacent) to the four large centres. Speaking as to finances, Mr Seddon said the financial position of tha colony as disclosed in the Budget would be the besb for the last decade. He anticipated the surplus would be from £2&),000 to £300,000. Despite concessions granted during the year, the railways would chow an increase of £100,000 at least.

The Premier defended bhe sale of Bushy Park estate, which, like other properties sold by the Realisation Board during the recess, broughb a price in excess of the Hab valuation.