The Hon. the Premier arrived in Auckland on Saturday evening last by the s.s. Takapuna, in company with Mrs Ballance. They have taken up quarters at the Star Hotel, and will probably remain here for about a week. Mr Amelius Smith, secre tary bo the Premier, and Mr A. T. Bate, secretary to the Hon. A. J. Cadman, arrived by the same steamer. On Saturday evening the Premier was welcomed by a deputation from the Liberal Association, and arrange ments wore made that Mr Ballance should address a public meeting on Thursday even ing nexb. THE PREMIER INTERVIEWED. The Hon. Mr Ballance, in course of con* veraabion with a Star reporter said, " The object of my visit i 3 chiefly to address the people of Auckland on political questions, aa I have been doing in other parts of the colony at the request of representative bodies, and in order that our views on lead ing political questions may bo put fairly before the electors." On being requested to speak as to the doings of the Government during the recess, Mr Ballanco said, "Since lasb session, our work has been ono of administration principally. SETTLEMENT ON THE LAND. "We still receive applications from a groat number of people for special settle ments in all parts of the colony, but princi pally in Wellington and Taranaki. The object of Mr Cadman's visib to Oborohanga is bo arrange for the acquieibion of land from the natives. We hope to be able to acquire large blocks of land suitable for settlement in the Waikabo, and we expect to establish upon that land a large number of special settlements. They will be thrown opon under the system that will enable the largest number of people to sebtlo upon bhe land, our object being to prevent monopoly in this respect. PEOPLE RETURNING FROM AUSTRALIA. " Wo think the announcements we have made and tho policy we are carrying out have reached Australia, and have had an 'enormous influence in directing population back to New Zealand. The Government Labour Bureau reports that there are at present very few men oub of employment. We have been drafting the unem ployed to places where there has been de mand for labour." "Ha 3 the Bureau been found to work satisfactorily 1" "It haß worked splendidly, and has been a most marked success. 