THE GOVERNMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2329, 23 October 1908, Page 5

THE GOVERNMENT.

THE MINISTER FOR LABOR.

PLEASING ELECTION PROSPECTS.

[Press Association.]

CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 22

The Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Labor, arrived in Christchurch, this morning to .attend the entertainment that will be given in Mr. Witty’s honor at Papanui this evening. The Minister is very busy with deputational affairs, and to-day he dealt with a large quantity of business .that had accumulated during the session. r lhe Minister is optimistic in regard to the result of the election. He lias no doubt that the Government will receive the renewed confidence of the people. He states, in fact, that the prospects of the. Government are very bright in all parts of the country, and ho has no doubt that the results will be gratifying to the • members of thg Ministry and to the party they lead. In regard to Otago and Southland, in which, 6f course, he is specially interested, he does not think the election will bring about much change in the membership, most of the present members having fair prospects of being -returned again. He told a reporter that he had said and heard so much about the new Arbitration Act that he did not care to say much more on the subject. As a matter of fact, there was not much more to say. He believed that the Act would promote a better feeling betwecen workers and employers, and he felt that when it canio into operation it would be found to be sufficient justification for tlie Government’s action. The Act will come into operation. On January Ist. Mr. Millar is now preparing the, regulations, and when the election is over the appointment of tlie Commissioners under the Act-will be announced. The Minister takes a deep personal, as well as a .Departmental, interest in the training ship Amokura, and .lie states that the boys on hoard are doing splendid work. Large numbers of applications are still received, for admission to the ship. In future parents will bo expected to enter into an agreement that if their boys are withdrawn before two years, the expenses will be paid bv the parents, and that the Department will control the hoys for a year or s 0 after thoy leave in order to'have some assurance that they will lead a seafaring life. Mr. Millar intends to leave Christchurch for Dunedin by the first express to morrow.