A BATCH OF DEPUTATIONS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1410, 20 December 1884, Page 2

A BATCH OF DEPUTATIONS.

(by telegraph). Dunedin, To-day. The Premier was fairly beaeiged by deputations to day. In reply to the School Committees. Mr Stout said he was opposed to the abolition of the cumulative vote, imd would Go his utmost to oppose it, unless a substantial modification was made by which the rights of minorities would be represented. He also opposes the proposal to bring inspectors under an InspectorGeneral He thoroughly agreed as to tile urgent necessity for reducing the syllabus and had given the department instructions in respect. He also approved of the proposal to augend the compulsory clause, and highly approved of the ides of giving technical instruction, but he feared the Legislature would not stand anjincrease of the education vote, even for that purpose. He hoped that means would be available from secondary endowments to give some technical education, the importance of which could not be over-estimated. The Manufacturers’ Association brought under the notice of the Premier the unworkable nature of the tariff and the desira >ility of Mr Federli lecturing on fruit growing in

this district. More information re the C lonial Exhibition was asked for, and

the intention of the Government in regard to railway rolling stock tendersT” Mr Stout, in r «plj, expressed a hope that when the tariff was being considered by iha Government all the suggested improvements would be forwarded to the Cabinet, who would duly consider them. Specifications for locomotives and other rolling stock wore being prepared. Ho pointed out, with regard to the Exhibition, that it was necessary to make some charge for space, otherwise manufacturers could not be suited. Goods would be carried freight free. The '.trades and Libor Council brought under notice the ; danger of Chinese being employed on coasting vessels and mail steamers. Mr Stout replied that foreign vessels could not be controlled in this matter, and there was not the slightest probability of Chinese labor being employed on the mail steamers, The Oaversham Borough Council urged that they should b° allowed to carry on fire insurance within the limits of ihe Borough, as the fire companies refused to contribute towards the support of the brigade. Mr Stout replied that he did not hue to pledge hiuiipif to any such proposal, for ha saw great dangers in tlje way, even to the existence of the municipality.