POLITICAL.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13007, 8 January 1908, Page 4

POLITICAL.

» INTERVIEW WITH THE HON. DR. FINDLAY.

The Hon. Dr. Findlay (accompanied by Mrs Findlay) arrived from Wellington by the Maori morning, and proceeded South by the second express. The Attorney-General is to reach Jlcunt Cook this evening, and will make a careful examination of sites for a new Hermitage. "We hope to have the new building ready lor next tourist season," the Minister stated to a reporter yesterday morning, "and we purpose spending £8000 or £9000 upon it, co that we should have a plaoe worthy of the scenery, and one that will in some degree cope with the enormous tourist traific. This season's returns will exceed anything we have yet known." His Excellency Admiral Fawkes and party are to arrive at Mount Cook on Saturday* and remain for two or throe day*. [ Dr. Findlay will join them there and probably return to Christchuroh with the party about tie 15th inst. THE ANTARCTIC, POST OFFICE. Dr. Findlay was asked by what authority the New Zealand. Government had sanctioned the opening oi a branch New Zealand Post Office at King Edward VII. Land, appointed a Postmaster (Lieutenant Shackleton), issued special stamps, and whether an infringement of the rights of Great Britain was not involved by the action. "Ah," eaid the Attorney-General, warily, "that ie a legal question upon which, 1 am not prepared to express { an opinion just now. I hay* not ooneidered the question at all, but it is j Quite probable tihet tie Prime Monaster took tihe opinion of the Solicitor-General upon -tita matter. I ihad <no objection, to the step being* token. The Expedition was worthy of our beet assistance, and the opening of a post office down there was rather a compliment to Lieutenant Shackleton and his brave companions. I don't think the question of rights will ever be raised. If.it ie, I shoukl be prepared to give my opinion then." J PARLIAMENTARY BDIL2MNGS. "As you know," the speaker pursued, "we have euspended the contract for additions to the Parliamentary Buildings at Wellington in the meantime, with a view to making further arrangements with the contractor. . The contract is "not determined, ami may be varied. We have yet to find a/ temporary home for his Excellency the Governor. Lord Plunket'a thoughtfulness in giving up Government House for the next sitting of Parliament is much appreciated, and will core. the country a good many thousands or pounds. • - THE HON. W. HALL-JONES. "The Hon. Mr Hall-Jones, whose health is greatly improved, will retain to New Zealand in the course of a few weeks, and will resume duty at once. NOtRTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY. "So far as it is humanly possible to state with certainty, tho North Island Trunk Railway will bo open for through communication by the end of the year. When that is dono the Government will proceed to ascertain tho amount of compensation to bo paid for the Manawatu Company's private line. OIVIL SERVICE SUPERANNUATION. "Tho Civil Service superannuation scheme came into force on January Ist, and the Board of Control will bo set up somo time this month. A considerable majority of Civil servants have notifii.'d their intention of coming in, and I believe eventually tho whole service will exercise that option. There is an idea abroad among many Civil servants that if they do not come in until June they will be liable for back payments, as from January. This is erroneous. The Act provide* that deductions will be mjulo only from the timo that they elect to take; advantage of tho provisions of the scheme."