THE PREMIER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1477, 10 June 1905, Page 2

THE PREMIER.

(Per Press Association.-) Christchurch, last night. Tho Premier visited Waltham school this morning, receiving a number of local deputations tnis afternoon. He leaveß folk/ Wellington to-morrow. r A BUSY DAY. IMPORTANT SUBJECTS. The Premier spent a very busy day here, starting with a vißit to the school, and afterwards received several deputations. Regarding the overcrowding of the Waltham school, it was stated that , allowing 12 square feet to each child the , capacity was 368, whereas the present roll number was 868. The Premier, replying j 5. to the deputation, eaid that Mr Hogben, ; Inspector-General of schools, had recam- .- , mended an addition of two rooms, looking to tho entire requirements he J would recommend that Cabinet have three rooms added. The deputation consisted „ , 4 *. of Messrs T. J. Small and P. Pender, and ||| brought under Mr Seddon’s leso-y*;- . lution passed at the recent conference on social questions. The Premier Bald tho X;|| questions would be referred to the Minister for Justices. Referring to the iniquity r case made known by Mr Taylor, Mr Seddon said there was every reason iJb St t believe it was not an isolated one, aDd it >,• was the duty of tho Government to make , the law effective in such cases. He thought

a place should be established for young j first offenders, where they would be mtfre strictly taken c ire of than at the industrial schools; but not the same ess at gaols. The inmates would be given industrial instruction. which would enabte them to earn an honest living. Discretional, power should be given magistrates and judges to clear the court of persons under 21 during the hearing of certain cases. A deputation saw Mr Seddon regarding the site and buildings for technical classes. The Premier stated that the Government grant of f3OOO was still available, and if the site were provided by the Education Board the grant would be paid. He thought the Act might be extended to vest the authority in the City Council, which would bring tho law into line with that of England. He declared t-hEt he preferred central to local control, but Criticised tho careless expenditure of money by some Education Boards, as Wellington and Auckland for example.

A deputation from the, Tailoresses’ Union, introduced by Mr Ell, the question of the alleged importation'of oontract girl labor from Australia by the Kaiapoi Woollen Company. The Premier deferred opinion on the matter till the company’s side of the question was bekjre him. - ' • '