WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1917, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

National Organisation. For Winning the War. (Our Special Correspondent.) Wellington, Jan 16 The agitation for national organisation towards winning the war, if a spoken word here and there and an occasional letter in the newspapers can be called an agitation, seems at last to be gathering some force and obtaining some concrete expression. The National Cabinet, moved, perhaps, by what is happening at Heme and by tbe reported shortage of labour here, has been discussing the subject since the holidays and though it has made uo definite announcement of its intentions it ia evident from the statements of individual Ministers that it recognises the need for making more effective and more economical are of the Dominion's lesonrees. The Ac'ing Prime Minister himself has admitted that “ something " ought to be done in this direction and it is presumed fhrt the discussion of ihe Bubject by the Cabinet is preliminary to submitting a scheme to Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward for their approval. Judging from tbe reports of the party leaders’ public utterances during the last week or two they would be by no means averse to Ne w Zealand making a greater effort on behalf of the Empire.

TUE PARLIAMENTARY TOUR The southern contingent for tha Parliamentary Tour under the guidance of the North Auckland Development Board was not so large as the promoters of the tour had expected, but private telegrams received from Warkwortb to-day indicate that the first stage of the 600-mile journey had been thoroughly enjoyed by the guests. Only politicians aad pressmen are given ■ prominence in tbe newspaper accounts of the tour, but there is a fair sprinkling of business men and farmers in the company and the Development Board is relying upon these gentlemen pronouncing a verdict upon the Far North that will finally dissipate the popular delusion that where it is not a huge waste of smd dunes it. ia a hopeless tangle of kauri forest. As a matter of fact there are few parts of the Dominion so well adapted for close settlement aod probably none where the life of the small producer could be made more attractive.

LABOUR UNREST, The delay in arranging a conference bet ween th 6 representatives of the waterside workeis and the stripping companies is occasionii g a certain amount of anxiety and unrest, but there are uo visible signs of any approaching labour trouble. Tho position, in short, is much the same es it was at this time las: year. The labour leaders, who, of course, may be dissembling, laugh at the idea of a strike. “We have finished with strikes,’’ one of them said this morning. “We have found a bitter way than that of righting our wrongs, and we are rot going to waste onr strength in fighting hopeless battles.” Apparently his mind was fixed on the ballot box, which many of the workers expeot to Bee called into requisition before the sad eff aext year,

Tbe GmrloTere, on their ’part, arc keeping their ccumel closer that usual and will pro ecu; cs no opinion upon the situation for publication, but, speaking generally, it is safe to say they are as anxious as the men profess to be to avoid a conflict during the war. They recoguiss, too, that after the war ecoooraio problems of tar reaching importance will have to he faced. MILITARY ACTIVITY. The appl cation of compulsion to military service certainly hm* not had the offset of m.kii g the lot of the soldier less envable. Tbe Minister of Defence, with the cordml 1 s is s no 9 of Lis is busier than 9ver in looking after the comfort cf the mm in camp and after the welfare of thorn at iha ft out. New regulations have beeug zatted making provision for recruits who require financial nstdaranoe or extended leave toattmd to their private affair?, and further efforts are being made to help the sick and wounded and to facilitate the return of men coming back from the front to civilian occupations; But perhaps tho moat significant feature of the revived activity is tho doeiro of the military authorities to prevent any distinction briug male te'wjan the ha bited recruit aud ihe volunteer recruit in camp or on active ■ervice. Too Commandant at Trenfchara i- moat inrietont upon this and the men themselves are giving effect to their officer's wishes in an ad mu’fillip nnirifc.