MINISTER FOR LANDS ON TOUR

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 7 December 1907, Page 2

MINISTER FOR LANDS ON TOUR

Per Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. At Balclutlia to-day the Minister for Lands received a deputation representing the executive of the Otago Coal Miners' Union. It was explained that the union had received a bill of costs for £3OO from the solicitors acting for it at the Nightcaps inquiry, and it considered that the Government should pay the costs. The union was forced to obtain the services of the solicitors at the last moment, and lmd no time to ask the Government for advice. Mr. McNab, in promising to bring the matter before the Minister for Mines, said what had transpired at the inquiry had been in the public interest, and if it was merely a question of having consent beforehand, no doubt the matter enuld be satisfactorily remedied. A deputation from the Farmers' Union waited on the Minister with reference to the establishment of an industry for the manufacture of nitrates of calcium in New Zealand. The Minister said he was in entire sympathy with the object of the deputation. A number of interested parties were in communication with the Government on the subject with a view to getting a concession in regard to water-power for the purpose, and the Government was considering the question seriously. Wnen any firm or company could start the industry the Government would be prepared to encourage them in every way.

Gore, Last Nifflit. Yesterday the Minister fbr Eands visited Waikaia and received a deputation from tlie School Commissioners' tenants, who asked that the endowment lie administered under the National Endowment Act of last session and the control placed in the hands of the Land Board. The Minister replied that the Government contemplated dealing with the matter last session, but had not the time, and he was deputed to make inquiries and ascertain the tenants'-de-sires and the nature of their grievances, iu order that remedial steps could be taken next session.