DEPUTATIONS TO THE PREMIER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1281, 23 December 1884, Page 3

DEPUTATIONS TO THE PREMIER.

A number of deputations waited on the Hon. the Premier at Dunedin on Saturday last. In reply to one from a School Committee, Mr Stout said lie was opposed to the abolition of cumulative voting at School Committee Elections, and would do his utmost to prevent any alteration from the present system of voting ; he opposed the proposition to bring the Inspectors under an Inspector-General ; he agreed with the urgent necessity for reducing the syllabus, and bad given the Department instructions to that effect; ho approved of the proposal to amend the compulsory clause, and highly approved of the idea of giving technical instruction, but was afraid the Legislature would not stand an increased education vote for that purpose. The Manufacturers’Association brought under his notice the unworkableness of the Customs Tariff, and asked for information with regard to the Colonial Exhibition, and the intention of the Government to call for lenders for the construction of locomotives. Mr Stout replied he hoped when the Cabinet was Considering the subject of the tariff all suggested improvements would be forwarded ; goods for tiie Exhibition would be carried freight free ; specifications for locomotives and other rolling stock were, being prepared. In reply to the Trades and Labor Council, he said' there was not the slightest probability of Chinese being employed on mail steamers. Foreign vessels could not be controlled.