GENERAL ELECTIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7852, 14 July 1911, Page 1

GENERAL ELECTIONS

LIBERAL OUTLOOK -GOOD MINISTER. OF EDUCATION ON THE SITUATION. SPECIAL TO THE “TIMES.” AUCKLAND. July 13. The Hon. George Fowlcls, Minister of Education, who arrived this afternoon from tho Waikato, had something to say on tho political outlook, in answer to inquiries from a ‘'Star” representative. “Sir James Carroll,” said Mr Fowlds, "who has just been round tho South Island, expressed the opinion to me. that ho was very well satisfied with the prospects in tho south. I myself recently spent a few days in the Taranaki district, and I can say confidently that there tho prospects are also good. Tho people have recognised that the misrepresentations over the dairy rcgnlations cannot bo repeated for the next election, and the farmers now recognise that the regulations would, as a matter of fact, be a very good thing for the dairy industry. Tho Farmers’ Union, at a meeting in Woodville a few weeks ago, carried a resolution asking, practically for the kind of inspection and supervision for which tho daily regulations provided, and suggesting that the cows be inspected, the inspection to he met by a small tax on tho cows. This cow was tho great complaint against the dairy regulations, under which it was only proposed to tax tho cows to the extent of half the cost of testing stations. Now the far-' mers are seeing the wisdom of this proposal. and are. actually arranging for cow-testing stations of their own, with Government assistance." THE OPPOSITION CBY. "The Opposition’s main cry is that they have been so long out that they ought to have a turn," continued the Minister, "but the country as- a whole recognises generally that tho Government was never more efficient and freer from cause of complaint, in spite - of the ; Opposition speakers and newspapers. , NATIVE LANDS. "The question that affects this district —native lands—is being dealt with in a vigorous fashion, and any surplus of native lands is being made available for European settlement- " Yes. I am confident that the Liberal Srospeots are as rosy as ever," concluded fr Fowlds.

THE QUESTION OF SEATS. HOW THE NORTH ISLAND STANDS SPECIAL TO THE "TIMES.” AUCKLAND, July 13. Spoken to this afternoon on the question 1 of electoral revision as the result ol the opmpleted census figures, the Hon. G. I'owlds,- Minister of Education, re marked that: five years ago, when the last census was taken, he predicted that the increase of population in the Auckland province would bo equal to the increase of all the rest of the Dominion put together. The completed figures showed that. his estimate was realised within a very few thousands. On the subject of the possible revision of electorates and probable increase of representation for 'the ■ North Island, the 'Minister said that until the Commissioners got the full figures with the 28 per cent, added to the country districts, it was impossible to speak definitely on this point. In his opinion it would bo just touch and go whether ■ the North Island gained two seats or one. Ho did not think they could possibly gain mors than two. and he thought it would be a very close go whether wo got the second or not- "1 think,” said Mr Fowlds, "there is a larger percentage of urban population in the North Island than in the South, and as this urban population does not get 28 per cent, added, that would mean an advantage to the South Island." Asked about the prospects of Auckland in the matter of seats. Mr Eowlds said it would .depend entirely on whether the North‘lsland got one or two seats. . "If two," said the Minister, "then certainly one ol them will be in the neighbourhood of Auckland city, but if the north gets only one seat extra then it will probably go to the neighbourhood of the Taumarunui electorate, the population of which has gone ahead at a very great rate during the last five years.”