WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1917, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

The Wheat Problem. Still Unsolved. (Our Special Correspondent.) Wellington, Jan 24 The long drawn-out discussion over the wheat problem is still proceeding. A month ago the Acting Minister of Industries and Commerce bad practically made up his mind that the guaranteed price to the farmers for the coarse of the war and for a year after ite conclusion was to be 5/ a bushel. Then the Board of Agriculture appeared on the scene and obtained a conference with the Minister and the Board of Trade which resulted in the whole question being reopened,

Ex ctly what has happened sinae is only a matter of speculation. It is known that a proposal was submitted to Mr Massey and Sir J oseph Ward in London, and it is believed that they' Inclined rather to the view of the Board of Agriculture than to that of the Board of Trade. The Minister has promised an official announcement on the subject this week, but the public ha 3 ceased to expect any arrangement that will make for a material reduction in the price of bread. INTERNED GERMANS It is reported, unofficially of course, that there was no jabilation among the Germans interned on Somes Island when those among them over 45 years of age were informed the other day that they were at liberty to arrange throogh the Ccusul-Ganeral of the United States for stßam3r passages from New Zealand to their own or some neutral country. The concession is offered under th 9 agreement between the Imperial Government and the German Government for the interchange of civilian prisoners beyond military age, but it is not expected that many of the Germans detained in New Zealand will display any burning desire to return to tbe Fatherland under existing conditions.

Some of them already have indicated that thay would rather remain iu the Dominion as prisoners than make their appearance in Berlin as free men. Just whether (hey should be allowed the choice or should be packed off willy-nilly is perhaps an open question, bat the Government is not likely to deny its hospitality to enemy subjects who prefer watching the couree of the atupoodous struggle from this end of the world. TIIE BOARD OF TRADE. This morning the “ New Zealand Times ” makes a violent attack upon the Board of Trade in which it displays a curious ignorance of the constitution and functions of that body. “ IfyJE refreshing to learn,” it says, “ that the Board of Trade has at last determined to make an effort to justify its existence and to compensate tbe neople in eome measure for th ■ it is costing the coun* ti . U-Vng .efreshed itself in this fashion, it holds up the 11 fat salaries and trayslliog espsoeee {’ of the mem-

here of the B:acd to the execration of the public and denounce 1 * the Board itself for “ she filing with the retail butchering business and inviting the applause of the country for a futile and stupid proceeding.” There is only one way, tbo ‘ Times ” says by which the consumer can be given relief and that in by fixing the maximum price. But this, it declared, “ ths Government and the Board of Trads dare not do.” Tbe indictment may Btand against the Government, but tbe Board of Trade again and again has recommended maximum prices. Beyond this it has no authority to go—no opportunity to exercise its saved the country many ibousaEds of pounds by its timely intervention. ELECTORAL REFORM.

It would seem from the cablegram published this morn ng that the statement made by the “ Daily Chronicle ” concerning the recommendations of the Parliamentary Conference at Home was incorrect not because it credited the Spaaker and his colleagues with having gone further than they had done along the road of electoral reform, but because it did not represent the whole of the distance they had travelled, This, at any rate, ij the conclusion local enthusiasts are drawing from the announcement that the Conference has decided in favour of female suffreg". If it has done this, they nrguo, it is perfectly safe to assume it has declared for proportional representation and the other reforms mentioned in last week’s message.

Tbs report of the Conference is of special iatersst in Now Zealand because it provides a s riking answer to the contention that domestic legislation should not be attempted during the course of the war. In this respect it is likely to be much quoted during next session of Parliament.