THE PREMIER INTERVIEWED. CHRISTCHURCH, October 2.

Otago Witness, Issue 2690, 4 October 1905, Page 38

THE PREMIER INTERVIEWED. CHRISTCHURCH, October 2.

The Premier, who passed through town last night on his journey from Dunedin to Wellington, stated in an interview that no definite steps had yet been taken in reference to the continuance of the South African subsidised steam service. He had been informed at Dunedin that, as the old war supplies were now finished in South Africa and things had reached their normal level, lars>c importations into that country could be looked forward to. Referring to the Anglo-Japanese treaty, Mr Seddon said New Zealanders would respect Japan so long as she remained within her zone and New Zealand got what was in our sone. He also stated that no steps had yet been taken to invite a member of the Royal Family to be present at the opening ceremony of the Exhibition. The matter was yet premature. He could give no information as to whether exhibits from foreign countries would be on a largo scale. Smce the meeting in Christchurch no further action had been taken re the Harvester Trust. He understood a petition for presentation to Parliament was being' largely signed, and workers intended making representations on the subiect very shortly. Mr Seddon emphatically stated that tlie Electoral Bill would be passed into law this session.

Mr Fitzgerald, the contractor for the new wharf at Oamaru, has completed his arrangements for commencing' the work, and has driven the first pile through 30ft of the mole format ioo^