MINISTERIAL DOINGS.

Evening Post, Volume XLVII, Issue 59, 10 March 1894, Page 2

MINISTERIAL DOINGS.

♦ IBY TILKOEi.PH.I [united press association.] Greymouth. 9th Maroh. A banquet was tendered to the Hon. J. M'Kenzie to-night by the local bodies and citizens. There was nothing of political moment in the Minister's speech. He spoke favourably of the future of the Coast, as it contained a great deal of land yell adapted for settlement. It would be his aim to do all in his power to place the people on the land. Auckland, This Dat. The Premier and the Hon. Mr. Carroll arrived at Mokau on Thnrsday evening 1 after a 50-mile ride from Tanmamnoi, then came from Mokau by rail velocipede to Te Kuiti, arriving there at 8 p.m. They had a most enjoyable trip. The weather was fine all the way, and the tracks were fairly good. Tbe meetings with tho natives at the several settlements were very successful. The Premier met a large assemblage of natives at Te Kuiti yesterday morning, and had a long di-cua-iion with them as to tbe native land question. Thenitives are desirous that all their lands shall be dealt with under the Native Lands Acquisition Act of Tast session, and that the present restrictions shall be removed. The Premier made no promise, preferring to ascertain the native*' minds fully before arriving at a final deoiaion. After the in. terview, the Premier came on to Otorohanga, and was met there by Wahanui and other chiefs. Tawhiao has. through Tupu, requested the Premier to meet him near Hamilton. Mr. Seddon has not yet decided so to do. If Tawhiao make 3 a direct request for an interview, he will agree, but not otherwise. The party will probably reach, Auckland, on Monday.