MINISTERIAL DOINGS.

Evening Post, Volume XLVIII, Issue 140, 12 December 1894, Page 3

MINISTERIAL DOINGS.

MAHUTA TAWHIAO AND THE GOVEKNMENT. FJBEIGHTS ON NEW ZEALAND COAL. ; IBy Telkqeaph.J (UNiraD PBKSS ASSOCIATION.] Auckland, 11th December. The Maori King, Mahuta, met the Premier at Hamilton this morning, and had a long in tor view. He stated that he came to personally a3sure the Premier of his friendship towards the Government. He dieoussed with the Premier the native lands legislation of last sosaion, and also brought several matters under the Premier's notice. The Premier asked whether a statement made in the papers was true, that Mahuta intended issuing Crown grants. The King said the foot of bis consulting the Premier re their lands showed that the statement was devoid of foundation. The natives, ho addod, would hold a great meeting early in the new year, and he invited the Premier to attend to meet thn Waikato ohiefs and definitely settlo tho land question. Mahuta and his Seorotary travelled to Hantly in a special carriage with tho Premier. ' The Hon. Mr. Carroll and party, also Police -Inspectors Hickson and Emmerson and Major Harris, M.H.It., met tho Promier' at Pakekoho, and accompanied him to Waiokn, whore he speaks to-night. Mrs. Soddon went on to Auckland. Tho Premier's party should arrive to-morrow afternoon. When the Premier was at Hantly a deputation of miners presented a petition asking that the freight for coal should bo reduced. The Premior admitted that something was wrong when coal hewn in New South Wales oould be sold in Auckland cheaper than that obtained from Hantly. Probably vessola bad brought coal as ballast when coming for timber. The subject required careful handling. If froijfhts from Huntly were reduced, it would mean the same throughout the colony, 'iho Government desired to promote our own industries, now that colonial products were practically shut out from Australia. Ho would consult tho Railway Commissioners. This Dat. The Premier addressed a crowded meeting at Waiuku last night. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidonco was passod. Mr. Soddon nrged the settlers to take advantage of the Loans to Local Bodies Act to get good m&in roads. Ho promised to consult the Hon. Mr. M'Keuzio re testing milk supplied to faotorios. Speaking at Cambridge yostorday, the Colonial Troasuror said the Government had done notjiintr unusual in collecting the Land Tax earlier than usual. He inst meed cases where it was done with the Property Tax. The ory was only raised for Party purposes, for the taxf s came in bettor this year than on any previous occasion, and only two complaiits were received. He eaid the Govornment was determined to develop the dairy industry. Ho was agroeably surprised at the settlement in the Waikato. He discussed the cutting up of large estates, the advantages of closer settlement, and spoke of reciprocity and lha advantages to be dorived therefrom.