THE PRIME MINISTER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13606, 28 May 1908, Page 6

THE PRIME MINISTER.

Per Press Association. KLTHAM, May 27 In an interview Sir .J. G. Ward stated that either an absolute majority or second ballot bill would bii introduced next sesuion. In reference t»« the cable received yesterday from Melbourne regarding the j ropocsal to utilise yachts for coastal defence, stating that Captain Whitney hart a promise from Sir Joseph, of favourable consideration for a request of £SOO, the Prime Minister said that he hats had no communication on ;the matter.

NEW PLYMOUTH, May 27. The Premier arrived at New Plymouth from Eltham at noon to-day. In the afternoon he officially opened the new post office and attended a presentation front the citizens to the Ex-Mayorees (Mrs DockrDl), afterwards visiting the hospital and old people's home. All the spare time was occupied receiving deputations on local matters. He leaves for Wellington in the morning. TO WAIMATK. The Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, Prime Minister, has promised to visit Waimate next week- He will arrive on Thursday in the evening and will be th*" gttessfc of the Mayor, Mr X. Francis. In the evening at 8.30 he will attend a public reception in the Oddfellows Hall, and will deliver an address. Next forenoon Sir Joseph •will receive deputations. The Mayor and two councillors waited on the County Council to ask for their co-op:ration, by bending a deputation or as» many iiwmb.oas poa&ible, and this waw agreed. to. The chairman. Mr Rhodes, mentioned a few matters which a deputation s-houtd bring before the Premier m-.xt morning. On«* was the application r.f th»> model by-laws. The ca.»e of {Sharers' Hit! road ■showed that the Public Wr>rk.« Act needed amendment in regard t<> the conipatsory taking of land for a mad. A?.- the faw now stood the work muist alt b- done before the case came before the Comj>eiteation Court for wssessment of the vaitte of the land. This assessment should be inada before - the work w;t.y done. tu some capea the .price would be prohibitive. The Impounding Act n-eded amendment to permit a ranger to deliver rj> stock to the. owner when i; had bteti impounded on a road. Another amendment of existing law required wati removal t>f an anomaly in the Local Elections Act which required d- ptttv returning officer* to make a dechr.trioit before the» returning oftivr. fu ih, of the deputy at Kttrow this* meant a. long journey. In parliamentary elect mi., th" deputies could make the declaration !»• for:any Justice of the Peace. and this M.nrdd be provided for the It.-** important local elect ions. A petition received by th;- County Council fmm Morven for a railway re --- ing w'ac, referred back to the petitK'i-»r»' with a recommendation that tfny bring the matter directly to th.: notice of the Premier next week.