INTERVIEWED AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 11341, 3 May 1912, Page 5

INTERVIEWED AT CHRISTCHURCH.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL AND OTHER MATTERS.

{By Telegraph—Press Association.' CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. The Prime Minister arrived here this morning. In an interview with a reporter, Mr Mackenzie remarke d that the safe arrival of a shipment of New Zealand fruit in Loudou was a matter of great gratification. "We havo been encouraging the development of orchards and looking for markets, aud, with properly graded fruit of the right varieties, there should he a satisafotory trade with the Old Country. I was informed by a representative from Argentina that that country was prepared to give us higher prices for properly-selected fruit than for Tasmauian." LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL. Mr Mackenzie's attention was drawn to a criticism of the Local Government Bill by the North Canterbury Board of Education. "The Local Government. Bill," he said, "is a framework. We do not say that it is like the laws of the Mede.s and Persians—unalterable, lam very familiar with the great advantage that education boards, as constituted, havo been to the education system. Tho North Canterbury Board is quite right in pointing out how necessary it is that the control of education should not be in rhe hands of men who havo not specialised. The Education Boards will be able to make their representations when the conference meets in Wellington to discuss the Bill. People have been calling out for a Local Government Bill. Something has been prepared, aud the Government hopes to get the benefit of tlie assistance of many men who have devoted themselves *to local government work." AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. As far as the Agricultural Department is concerned, tlie Minister said he was keeping himself abreast of what was going on in various parts of the world."" Mr A. Wylie, who had just been engaged, had had a distinguished career at Home, and would unite with the Department's officers in doing good work. The work of the Department was going on vigorously all over the Dominion. HIGH COM vIISSIONERSHIP. A question was asked whether there was any fresh development in regard to tlie High Coinmissionership. Mr Mackenzie declined to be drawn, but remarked that it was very singular to find the journals which a few weeks 1 ago were declaring that it was highly improper for the present Ministry to think of making this important appointment now advocating that it should he done. THE COUNTRY'S' APPROVAL. "The reception the Government has met with in the country has been far more favourable than I con Id possibly have anticipated,'' he remarked. "It can clearly be seen that the country is tired of the unrest that has been going on, and is prepared to give the Government an opportunity to show its grit. The people are uot looking for fireworks, nor an immense show ot Bills, but for good administration. We are going to do our best, ami will meet tho House with the knowledge that we have endeavoured to do the right thing. If that meets with the same acceptance in the House that up to the present it has met iv the country, there is no fear regarding our future." NO FEAR OF DISSOLUTION. The question of dissolution was mentioned, and tho Premier replied: "If the feeling of the country towards us is reflected by members of Parliament during the session, there is no fear of a dissolution taking place. Mr Massey is telling his friends to be ready, because it is not known what a month may bring forth; but whenever that happens I believe Mr Massey is not the. man his friends'will look to. They realise that he had his opportunity last election, but bungled the whole campaign."