AN INTERVIEW WITH THE MEMBER FOR CLUTHA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14283, 4 August 1908, Page 6

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE MEMBER FOR CLUTHA

EDUCATION AND ARBITRATION. NEW WORKS FORESHADOWED. Mr A. S. Malcolm, M.P. for Clutha, arrived from Wellington on Saturday evening, his visit being connected with private business, and a number of minor matters affecting his constituency. LEGISLATION PASSED AND FORESHADOWED. "So far." said Mr Malcolm to a Times reporter last evening, "there have been no policy measures presented to the House —only minor bills, such as the Coroners' Bill,—and no such measures are expected until after fleet week. Quite a number of those foreshadowed are of a non-contentious nature, anil arc therefore certain of an easv passage. There is very general interest just now in the Arbilration Act Amendment. Bill and the Education Bill. In regard to the Arbitration Bill, opinions as to its prospects of getting safely through differ from day to day, hut there is not tho least doubt that there is an anxious desire on the part of members to pass legislation that will be satisfactory to the country." Rather difficult, as things are at present. "Yes, that is our trouble. Meantime members are watching with some anxiety the progress of the amendment act through the Labour Bills Committee, and their attitude regarding it will largely depend upon the evidence brought out there: thus from the nature of that evidence may bo gathered an idea of whether the bill is likely to succeed or not. There will, I think he no party opposition to the measure. So far. as I can judge, the Labour members are just at present anxious to keep an entirely open mind on the subject, and therefore it would lie very difficult for me to give a decided oninion on the bill and its prospects. There is a feeling on the part of many members that the SUCCC3S of the bill will depend more on its administration than its character; so ■that any judgments that might be given might follow quiokly on any differences that arise between masters and men. Also, employers and employees must be made to recognise that any law. on the .Statute Book will he impartially carried into effect without fear of consequences. "In regard to the Education Bill, there is no question likely to come before Parliament on which members generally are so agreed, as that there is a need tor an improvement in the system of promoting and paying teachers. Tho hill will lie judged entirely upon it« merits in connection with these two points. My own feeling on tho matter is that we must endeavour to solve those questions without further adding to the present annual expenditure on education. "The Absolute Majority Bill' is a measure creating a good deal of interest, and its prospects are somewhat doubtful. "Already there is enough legislation promised to ensure a five months' sitting, but it is expected that a large portion will he withdrawn, allowing Parliament to rise about the middle, or at tho latest, the end of October." ' BALCLUTHA'S PROTECTION BANKS. Are you prepared to say anything about tho protective works at Balclutha? "4 expect that a report will be submitted this week from tho Eiigirioer-iu-Chief on this subject. It would have been in earlier but that the engineer was absent in -Auckland in connection with tramway affairs. I was very pleased to 606 the Otago Daily Times take up the matter as it did, and, really, tho Times' article said all there is to b3 said generally on the matter. Mr Holmes's (the chief engineer) , report is to be a very exhaustive one, and when it is in tho only question will be the apportionment of the cost of carrying out its recommendations. Tho Government last year, recognising its great interest in the safety of the railway and other Government property, offered l to pay one-third of the cost of improving the protective banks. This offer was submitted to the Borough Council, which felt it necessary to bo in possession of the promised report before deciding to accept or refuse; but it is an opinion generally held that the Government should find pound for pound of tho cost. Casually, lam informed that it will be reported that little is required to be done to put the town in an absolutely safe position—but that little is imperative." ( NUGGETS FISHERME-N'S- LANDING. Wliat is. the position of affairs regarding the proposed fishermen's landing at Nugget Point! " Two hundred pounds was voted last year to improve this landing, and since then Mr AViddowson (District Engineer) and Mr Holmes (the Kugineer-in-Chief) have visited the locality and reported upon ..the matter. The Engineer-in-Cbicf, it appears, reported that it would cost £2800 to make a really satisfactory landing. The Minister has since expressed his readiness to expend £500 on the landing, which, while it would not carry out the engineer's proposals, woidd greatly facilitate landing at and leaving the Nuggets. Unfortunately, much delay has ensued in starting operations. The Government gave authority to' the County Council to proceed with the work, but the County Council did not see its way to supervise tho building of .the landing, and the . Government will therefore probably have to have the work carried out by its own officers. One advantage from the delay may bo that the work will be done in much better manner than if started a year ago,' for there is a possibility of a further grant. I am urging that the work be started in tho meantime, with the expenditure of the money granted—£soo." OATLINS RAILAVAY. In regard to tho speedy prosecution of this work, Mr Malcolm said lie was most hopeful. Ho had seen several of the Ministers concerning this question, not only with the idea of getting Cabinet to placo £100.000' on the Estimates this year for Catlms, but also in tho hope of inducing tho Cabinet to promise that tho line would be completed to Tahakopa by ,tho end of 1911. Mr Malcolm does not expect to get a definite assurance with regard to that, but he states confidently that Ministers' opinions justify him in hoping that the line will bo completed by that date, if not some time before. Mr .Malcolm indicated that on this point he might say a good deal, but thought that at the present moment it would be unwise to discuss the matter. THE PROPOSED NEW COUNTY. "A great deal of interest," said Mr Maieol'm, "is being talced in this question of the formation of a new county in Tapanui district. Somo six gentlemen, I understand, are going to AYelliiigton in opposition to the proposal from Tuapeka and Clutha Comities, and two are going in support of the bill. The bill \rill be before the Local Bills Committee on Wednesday morning, and very possibly it will come on for its second reading on Thursday. I am taking charge of the bill, hut find it difficult to give an opinion as to its chances. I am prepared to do all I can for it, and I am taking care that the representations mado by Clutha County shall receive full recognition. Mr James Allen has agreed to take charge of the case against the bill. Tho reason urged by Tapanui for die severance is that the district is an isolated one, that the reading has been sadly neglected by the Tuapeka County, and the people, there feel they could manage their own affairs much bettor than can those at a distance of 100 miles." THE POST OFFICE. "Yes, there is one other matter I may mention," wont on Mr Malcolm. "The plans for the now post office at Balclutha are now completed, allowing a handsome two-storey building, offering very good accommodation to the public. The department is ready to proceed with its erection the moment it is able to complete negotiations for tho transfer of certain property adjacent to tho present building. The building,' which is to bo of brick and plaster, will contain a counter 18ft long in tho main office."