THE PREMIER INTERVIEWED.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13653, 24 July 1906, Page 2

THE PREMIER INTERVIEWED.

THE OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY. SOME QUESTIONS OP COLONIAL IMPORTANCE. Tho Premier (the Hon. W. Hall-Jones) paid his first official visit to Dunedin Inst evening, and, accompanied by several members of the Legislature, proceeded to tho Grand Hotel. Shortly afterwards a Daily Times reporter sought an intorviow with the Minister, who kindly acceded to tho request, It is with regret, tho Premier says, that ho has decided that ho cannot on this occasion pay a visit to tho Otago Central railway. Recent events, however, necessitated a change in his arrangements, though ho hopes he will bo able to spare time to go as far as Clyde aliout the middlo of next month. Tho lino is all ready for opening to Chatto Creek, but the authorities wish to have the timc-tabjo in their Gm'do before opening, it. He will inquire, howover, whether, in order to suit the convenience of the travelling public, passengers cannot be carried through to Ohatto Creek at once. Tho Guide will not be publiehod till tho end of the month, but that is really no reason whj, the lino being finished and already used for goods traffic, it should not also he opened at once for passenger traffic. The announcement that the Premier would deliver an address in Timaru on Wednesday night, was made without Mr HallJones's sanction'. ,As a matter of fact, he cannot spare tho time for it. Ho is duo in Wellington on Friday to open the Normal College.

Asked concerning Dr Anderson's report on the Biirnham Industrial {School, the Premier said he had only read tho report coming down in the train that day. No, it was not to he published—not yet, at aiiyrate. He would submit it to Cabinet first. The census returns were next mentioned. Mr Hall-Jones has given them some consideration, hut from a colonial point ol .view. Ho has not, for instance, gone deeply into tho question of the apparently slow progress of Otago. "With the total increase he is pleased. He recognises that, tho North Island's 'population being greater than that of the 'South Island, it is now entitled to larger representation—4o as against 36, probably—and admits that the Representation Commissioners, who will adjust the districts before next election, will make a change in the representation in favour of the north.

The commission to inquire into the cause ot fire in woo! is one that, the Premier believes, will arrive at important conclusions. The matter must bo thoroughly sifted, as its- importance demands that it should he. The personnel of the commission will be announced shortly.

The importation of margarine is another matter that has engaged the Minister's attention. The Agricultural Department has been requested to report upon it. witJi a view to Parliament passing legislation which will effectually prevent the sajfl of margarine for butter or mixed with butter.

Discussing Legislative Council reform, concerning which tlie Premier recently made some interesting statements in a public address, the Minister expressed the view that, in his opinion, the election of tho Upper Chamber by members of the Lower House would be likely to give satisfactory results. He recognises the necessity for securing tho representation of different parts 'of the colony on an cn.uita.bk basis. His own scheme is to set up a Revision Chamber, but such a step, he thinks, would lie regarded as too big for tho present. The reciprocal agreement with the Commonwealth is not likely to see the light of day before it is laid on tho tablo of tho House. The scheme, tho Premier says, will be laid before the Commonwealth and New Zealand Parliament's simultaneously early in the coming session, and though its provisions will doubtless arouse critioism in somo quarters they will, lie thinks, give very general satisfaction.

The Exhibition in Ohristehuroh, tho Premier says, will be onenefl on the Ist. November. Everything is eoing on well in connection with the preparations. The appointment or Mr Hill as musical conductor has met with approval throughout the colony; tho recognition ol colonial merit is naturally appreciated by tho people of the colony. Satisfactory arrangements have been made for tho insurance of the Exhibition, oven tho gate-money being covered. : Tho work of the Navy League and of its brandies in the colony is of great interest to' the Premier, who is well informed on all tho suggestions of the local branches. The Minister of Defcnco (Hon. Mr Pitt) is at present engaged in the preparation of a scheme for equipping the Sparrow, now lying in Wellington harbour, as a trainingship and for the training of lade on tho ship. Tho boys will he thoroughly trained by competent instructors, and will then bo free to enter cither the navy or the merchant service. The training-ship is not to bo used as a reformatory, and only boys of good character will bo taken on hoard. In some cases boys who arc at present sent to industrial schools merely because they are destitute will lie sent direct to.the train-ing-ship, 'if they so desire.