THE PREMIER IN THE SOUTH

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 91, 6 April 1908, Page 3

THE PREMIER IN THE SOUTH

THE OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY

SOCIAL ECONOMIC PROBLEMS. Per Preu Aaswdation. Dunedin, Last Night. A deputation representing the Otago Central Railway League waited on the Prime Minister yesterday urging further construction of the line. The deputation pointed out that if the railway were continued, 50,000 acres of Crown'UAH* ■nrald be opened up, and 100 farmers could be settled. The League looked forward to the time when the line would be the main thoroughfare of the South Island by way of the West Coast. The Prime Minister said he could not at a moment tell them whit the Government would do with regard to anv extensions of railways when next year's estimates were submitted. Since he had been in Parliament, twenty-one years, be found that there had been on •n average over .CfiO.OOO a year spent on the line, bringing the total to date 1X1,270,018, and there w as a small amount pnt on the estimate; last year. He was going through Otago Central with responsible engineers, chiefly with the object of benefiting by their advice on the matter of irrigation, and also with a view of having a further Jonk t into the general surroundings of {he country. He would then be in the posi. tion. when the time came, of seeing wliat \ they could do m far as further railway extension was concerned. '•

A deputation from the Society for the Protection of Women and Children, supported by the Society for the Promotion of Women and Children, waited on the Prime Minister. The Rev. W. CurzonSiggers said the deputation's object was to get the Industrial Schools Act amended *o aa to allow a society such as those mentioned to lay complaint in the case of children living in undesirable surroundings, also that a magistrate miyiil commit a child whose surrounding militated against its healthy and moral development. It was also desired that • magistrate be empowered to deal with children brought before them under the Industrial Schools Act by holding ail inquiry rather than after tile formal and legal methods of the police court. An amendment of the Destitute Persons Act was also sought to provide for application by a wife or society for the attachment of a wage-earner's wages for the rapport of his wife or child, .and to make a clear definition that a man wast. rag his money in gambling or drinking to the detriment of thoSc dependent on him be deemed to desert his familv.

Brr .Joseph said the Government would give the fullest consideration to the requests. The aims of the Society as set forth formed the basis of legislation which would be brought down next session, and of which he personally approved. A very valuable reform could lie effected whereby proceedings could be taken on behalf of women who were, under existing conditions, afraid to' proceed on their own behalf for fear •>*' after consequences, for attachment of wages. He agreed that the definition of a wage-earner in the Act should be widened. The Government was very anxious to assist in the preservation at infant life, and to help women who unfortunately too often required outside assistance.