WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1917, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

(Our Special Correspondent.) Wellington, Feb 26 MILITARY SERVICE. The controversy that has been going on lately over the liability of olergymen for active military service has incidentally, raissd another question of some importance. The churches of course, are not objecting to their

In short, they want to know why doctors and dentists of military age should not be called up foe service at a living wsqo, just as solicitors and banker* lam lah-:-tera are called u , a </ put. l .) work *or which ate fciot. furnd. At. ;r,U-e d t; J'- 1 < t.-' <:r.' l» 6 S ' i‘ £ ’**“ j ib- a* &r:ti th- ad*B* *" loj.; la* <.•*!*•»•(,cracy *rc? ■■ kint. ' by. HrfWKh’S BAY BY-EL2CTION Confhcdrg repents continue to reach Wellington .ip regard to the prospects of tbe Ha«vke\s Bay byelection, but tbers u a growing feeling here that the lesnlt will largely depend upon the interpretation the local Reformers place on their obligation under the party compact. If a large number of thism abstain from voting, as a large number of Liberals undoubtedly did at ihe Pahiatna byelection, on the contention that it- is the business of the electors immediately concerned to settle their, differences between themselves, the National Government will have some difficulty in returning its candidate. Mr lan Simeon and Mr A. L DFraser are definitely in the field ae Independent Liberals and though they have none of Sir John Findlay’s ability and knowledge of affairs they have the advantage of being local men and of appealing to the parochialism which must afflict every constituency bo long ae Parliament remains largely a glorified board of works and a dispenssr of loaves and fishes. Sir John Findlay is throwing himself wholeheartedly info the fight ami is receiving the loyal assistance of official Liberals and official Reformers, but in a poll which may not reach half the Bize of that recorded at the general , election almost anything may happen. LABOUR. The Conciliation Council conferences, disputes, committees and the various other devices for averting labour troubles are still holding on their beneficieni way and at least are tending to bring about better personal relations between the workers and their employers. The miners, popularly supposed to t be the fire-brands, both industrially and politically of the Labour Party, are still conferring with the mine owners and so far the negotiations appear to be proceeding amicable enough. This must not be taken to mean that all the obstacles to an agreement have been overcome. It may be the more formidable of them have not yet been approached- The watersidera and the employers have unanimously decided, under the gentle guidance of the Conciliation Commissioner, that a Dominion conference should be held to discuss the conditions of work and the ratds of wages in relation to all New Zealand ports, and for the pre- . sent the status quo will be maintained. This, of course, is not the end of the trouble, bat it is the adoption of a mn.ch more reasonable attitude by both parties and onghi to make for a satisfactory peace. Masters are men alike bear witness to the admirable manner in whioh Mr Haggar presided over their negotiations.