THE PREMIER IN THE NORTH.

Evening Star, Issue 11890, 19 May 1903, Page 8

THE PREMIER IN THE NORTH.

Speaking at Hamilton (Waikato) last night, the Premier, referring to President Roosevelt’s reported utterance re American supremacy in the Pacific, said that Great Biitain must be the dominant Power. The present curriculum in the schools should be reviewed, and much that was unnecessary for practical, every-day life should be eliminated. It was a question, whether the present .barrack system in asylums was right. More classification, with a greater degree of home life—more of the cottage than of the barrack—was required. Having one inspector-general only was a farce. More were required. He was not casting reflections on any official, but the system required alteration. Industrial schools should be based upon the principle of that in Ballarat (Victoria). It was cruel that children of respectability, meeting with misfortune, should be sent to the same institution as that to_ which the vicious were sent. Separate institutions were needed, even at the cost of increased expenditure. The Government desired to do the right thing, and be believed the country would say “Go and do it.” ~Mr Seddon then quoted figures dealing with the financial and industrial progress of the past ten years. While sympathising with Victoria in the new trouble following so closely on the drought, the people of this colony could congratulate themselves on living in a Land where such a thing was impossible. As regarded land settlement, people should be encouraged to go on the land. Money spent in developing the resources of the colony was money well spent. Over 10,000,000 acres of land were now available for settlement. Reference was made to the appointment of dairy experts from Canada and Denmark, the speaker contending that the colony ought to be able to provide its own experts. The statement that the Government were apathetic m regard to dairying was denied, and anything proposed or submitted to the Government received careful consideration. It was as necessary to thoroughly equip the dairy industry as the mining* or the fruit industry. The appointment of experts thereon, the extension of markets monopolies and trusts, and State lire ina* 1 * 8 w ® re touched upon. At a subsequent banquet Mr H. J. Greenslade, Liberal candidate for the Waika o at the late election, was presented with some plate by his supporters.