INTERVIEW WITH THE PREMIER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2627, 20 July 1904, Page 10

INTERVIEW WITH THE PREMIER.

AUCKLAND, July 15

The Right Hon. Mr Seddon armed this morning, and wa« intei - \ iewed by press representatives. The first question asked was, " How is your health keeping? "

" I am gradually gaining ground, ' said the Premier. " I was not so well on Monday or Tuesday, which I attribute to tho fact that 1 had been working late hours at the Financial Statement. I was therefore glad to get away for this trip and already feel much refreshed."

"Have you =ecn in tho cable news that adverse lemarks haie been made in the Federal Parliament about New Zealand shipping law.3? "

"Yds. Previously captains of tramps with coloured crews used to interfere with our onu coastal steamers manned by white crews, but under our shipping laws they did not by any means find a gamo of bluff pay, for they have bc&n forced out of coastal trade because they had to pay Now Zealand wages. That has been a gam to settlers and also to coastal trading companies, as it secured the latter tho summer as well as tho winter trade. Formerly tramws took wool and grain in summer, which" forced local companies to raise, freights in winter. Now they have, all the trad©, with lower average r reights for all tho year round." "Can jou say when the Public Woiks Statement will come down?"

"The Hon. Mr Hall-Jones will be here on the 3rd of August, and tho Statement will bo brought down as soon as possible alter his arrival."

In reply to further questions, Mr Seddon said: — "They are not my friend* or the friends of tho present Go\ eminent that wish to sco mo disporting myself in London with a oockod hat as High v-ommissioner for thi« colony. I believe I can do more

J so 1 , id work for the people of this colony I aud also for the Empire, by staying hero , than residing in London. An occasional I trip Homo is quito sufficient for me. My heait is in this oolony and with its people."