HON J. GARROLL

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1415, 28 March 1905, Page 3

HON J. GARROLL

INTERVIEWED AT OPOTIKI.

Tho Opotiki Herald despatched a re poster with a humorous turn of mind to interview the Native Minister, and he thus writoa to his journal : Asked if he noticed any difference in our township since bis last visit, Mr Carroll district with my eyes closed. 1 want to congratulate your town authorities most . heartily on the appearance of the township. The country, too, seems flourishing, judging by what X saw coming along.” J * yea,” our reporter said, “ the country’s all right-, but what about the ragwort “ Well,"’ said Mr Carroll, “ I was discussing that question at Botorua with delegates from the Maori Councils. It is no doubt a very serious evil, and this I endeavored to impress upon the delegates, who appeared to recognise it, and expressed themselves as anxious to eradicate it. qjhere has been a good deal of talk ingVs'Qe existence of this weed on native reserves, but from what I have seen the natives are not the only sinners. X visited Crown Battlement the other day, and on h side of the paths leading to settlers’ mes were to be seen ragwort plants, ’eh only required a kick of the foot to .k them out, and yet they were allowed faxuriato without hindrance. 1 think ore oalling out about other people’s evils , , saJeast settlers can do is to remove their I JUsta.” . % Questioned as to his views on the 1 situation, Mr Carroll said:—r“ I» hard to say, aod one does not like to piEe as a prophet. There may be changes, pa* there always are a 3 the result of a general election, but the position of the present party in power seems to mo to be strong as ever it was. You see people, w’aon they are prosperous, are apt to beComo contented, and there can be no aoubt that the colony is prosperous. There has been an all-round increase—railways, postal, and every revenue earning department —showing clearly that the-country is c?l tho up-grade, and the spending power of the peoplo not wa.ning.” Mr Carroll maintains his good health and spirits, and bis appearance still shows that bo has not-'.yet qualified to ride as a -S'rgbt-weight..