MINISTERS IN THE SOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 28, 2 December 1901, Page 2

MINISTERS IN THE SOUTH.

VABIOUS DEPUTATIONS. PER PRESS ABSOCIATIOX. Dunedin, November 30. Several deputations waited on the Premier to-day. The first, from the mercantile community, urged that steps be t&keu to establish direct steam communication with S mth Africa. Mir Ssddon replied that Government had taken authority, to spend .£30,000, and it would leave no tstone untuned to to mike the service a satisfactory one. But- for tbe steam shipping companies having taken the matter in hand, and attempted to "bluff" the Government, the latter would have had a servioe in operation six or eight months ago. He indicated that stoamors employed would be of the tramp class. Quick communication was not so much to be desired as regular distribution, and cheap freight. As to the alleged " salting " of dredging chims on the West Coast', the Premier said the proper course was for the aggrieved parties to seek a civil remedy. Possibly, as in the ease of the Fuchsia Creek, evidence wuuld come out which would justify the Government in instituting a ciminal prosecution. If the patties took ac'ion, tbe Government would back them up. To go otherwise would be ti reverse the proper coursj of procedure in such cases.

A deputation of the Farmers' Union waited on Sir Joseph Ward to-day, and urged that in view of prices, reduction should be made on carriage of wool by rail. Sir Joseph Ward said he exceedingly regretted the low value of wool. He had had undor consideration for some time past the lowering of rates on wool, among other things. He raid so in the House, but there were so many calls being made one way and another on the Treasury, and such a large amount of expenditure required in all parts of the colony, that it was felt desirable to hold this question over. He was quite willing to confer wi'h ( his colleagues with a view to seeicg whether they could single out wool alone, and allow others to stand oyet\