THE PRIME MINISTER.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 13936, 9 January 1911, Page 7

THE PRIME MINISTER.

A SHORT INTERVIEW.

After a brief holiday spent in Southland, the Prime Minister (Sir J. G. Ward) returned to Wellington on Saturday night. In a brief interview with a representative of "The Press" on the second express between Timaru and Christchurch, Sir Joseph said that he felt greatly improved in health by his outing. He certainly looked well, and but for the fact that tho sun had tanned him considerably, might have been described as in the pink of condition. The business of the country will engage the Primo Minister's attention and that of his colleagues soon after his arrival in the capital, but Sir Joseph could not give the reporter any information as to the character of the work that Cabinet would be called upon to do. On most of the subjects touched upon Sir Joseph had no later information than that already published. The expected invitation to members of the New Zealand Legislature to attend his Majesty the King's coronation have not vet been received, and the details of Sir Joseph's tour of tho Dominion prior to his departure for England -have not yet been drawn up. Regarding the Lake Coleridge hydro-electric scheme, Sir Joseph remarked that nothing would be done till the electrical engineer is appointed, which will be shortly. He had no definite information as to the completion of the negotiations between the Defence Department and the South Waimakariri River Board regarding the exchange of lands for tho portion of the

Board's reserve to be used as the South Island Territorial training camp.

Referring to harvest prospects in Southland, Sir Joseph said that the grain crops were looking well, and sheep were doing well. The dairy industry was progressing very satisfactorily, and farmers and the community generally were doing well, and were in good /spirits. On each of his successive visits to tho district he noticed great improvements, and the railway returns showed that year by year the passenger and goods traffic was steadily increasing. Considerable development is going on in Invercargill, many buildings were going up in the town itself, and many fine residences in the suburbs; at the Bluff tho building trade was also active.

During his holiday Sir Joseph appeared in a new role, that of chauffeur. Ho motored to Otautau and Winton on Friday, driving tho automobile for a considerable portion of the way.