WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1917, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Tlia Hawke’s Bay Seat.

Sir John Findlay Withdraws.

(Our Special Correspondent.)

Wellington, Feb 19 Sir John Findlay’s refusal to contest the Hawke’s Bay seat in succession to Dr McNab after discovering the political temper of the constituency has disappointed but not surprised his intimate friends. He made it plain from the first that he had no personal desire to re-enter politics just now and that it was only at the urgent request of the leaders of the Liberal Party he had consented to offer his services to the electors. In these circumstances when he found half-a-dozin local Richmonds in the field anxious to step into Dr MoNab’s shoes, each receiving a certain measure of support, he felt justified in withdrawing from a contest which 6esmed likely to be decided on much less exalted issues than the ones he had contemplated. It was thought Hawke’s Bay would be sufficiently patriotic in war time to forego local representation for a session or so in order to put in Parliament a gentleman who would have given the Administration invaluable asßistanea in the present crisis, but apparently the self-abnegation of the constituency was somewhat overrated. re-arranged portfolios. It is generally supposed that the announcement of the re-arraDgement of portfolios made necessary by the death of Dr McNab was withheld iu the expectation that Sir John Findlay would be returned for the Hawkea Bay seat and be available for a place in the Cabinet. This, however, is scarcely the case.

No doubt if Sir John had been elected to the House ho would havo been invited to join the National Government and probably ha would have taken some of the departments administered by Dr McNab. Bat the re-arrangement was not hold in bubpense pending the result of the election. It was made more than a week ago on the lines announced on Saturday and Mr W, D. S. MacDonald was formally recognised as the representative of Sir Joseph Ward during his absence, which means, of course, that the Minister of Agriculture is acting leader of the Liberal Party in the meantime,

The appointment appears to be giving general satisfaction to the local Liberal members of the House and Mr MacDonald’s successful intervention in the waterside trouble at Napier suggests that it will not be unacceptable to the Labour Party. WHEAT AND BREAD. A. mild sensation has been occasioned here by the announcement that bread will be raised from 10d to lid for the 41b loaf, delivered, from to-day and the Acting Minister of Industries and Commerce has directed Mr J. R. Hart, the only member of the Board of Trade remaining in Wellington, to investigate the position. Mr MacDonald has expressed surprise at the increase being made, seeing the master bakers had agreed that the price of bread should bo governed by the price of flour. The price of flour had been fired at £ls a ton and at

this rate the price of breed ehonld not exceed B|d over the counter or lOd delivered. Even with fliur at £l6 a ton these prices should hold good under the agreement as thy Minister understood it and Mr Hart’s report is awaited with considerable cuuosity and interest. Tbe ultimate remedy for the trouble will be the suspension of the duty on-flour, but Mr MacDonald ie not inclined to take this step before the result of the harvest is definitely

ascertained.

LABOR AND MILITARY SERVICE. Reports from the country are emphasising the inconvenience and loss being suffered by dairy farmers and others by the growing scarcity of labour following upon the withdrawal of men for military service. How acute the position is in the Wairarapa may be judged from the fact that b’r Walter Buchanan aud ocher large landowners have been compelled to take up duties they formerly entrusted to working foremen, while smaller owners have been driven to reducing their milking herds and abandoning all but absolutely necessary operations about their holdings. On some f*rm3 the wives rnd daughters of the holders are taking the place of the hired help that cannot be obtained and it seems likely further demands must be made upon female labour. It is understood the Government has some scheme of relief in preparation, but so far its precise nature has not been revealed and predictions of a great decline in production are beginning to take on the appearance of probability.