WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1917, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

The Political Situation

The Session and its Work,

(Our Special Correspondent.)

Wellington, April 30 It is being generally a-eumed in political ci cles ujw that Mr Massey aad S r J sepb War'd nili letur i to the Drmioion a fortcr’ght or so befjre the opening of Pariameat, and that they will bring back viith .hem snffio ent woik, more or iess clorely connected with the war, to keep the House and 0 ancil basy for the usual three or four months. The Acting Prim 9 Minister and 'he Acting Minister of Finance have seized several opportunities lately to prepare the public for another tnan Bill and for largely increased taxat ; on, bat these measnres are not likely to occupy riiuoh time in passing through all their stages. There is plenty ,of money available and the public is quite willing it should be employed in winning the war. Of course, there will be borne difference of opinion in regard to the incidence of the taxation, bat it is expected the new proposals will meet moat of the objections urged against the legislation of iaafc year. DOMESTIC LEGISLATION Though members of lbs House are as eager as ever to give th 6 National Government loyal and hearty support in carrying oat tbeir financial and military proposals a growing number of them are beginning to feel thatmattsrs not immediately associated wi"h the war should receive some attention this year. The present Parliament has done preetical-y nothing towards solving any of thb dom-stic problems which were discussed during the general election held five months after the commencement of hostilities and private members, except by silence and by ready acquiescence with the war proposals of the Government, have bsd no opportunity to justify themselves in the eyes of their constituents. Moat of them are pledged to nr gent reforms which they have had scarcely an opportunity to mention in the House and naturally they are net looking forward very complacently to the time when tb&y will be asked what they have been doing daring the list two years, THE MINISTRY, It was generally thought when Sir John Findlay was induced to contest the Hawke’s Bay seat that in the event of his election be would be offered a seat in the Cabinet.

Far as Sir John’s political enthusiasm had carried him in the way of personal sacrifice no one expected him to assume responsibilities that would seriously interfere with his lucrative practice at the bar with no prospeotof plajiog a greater pact in the administration of the affairs of the country than is assigned to a private member.

Bat it seems now that Sir John has no desire to join the National Government, that he would prefer, indeed to remain outside the Cabinet, and to be free, while giving Ministers his most cordial support in their war measnres, to offer them his advice and even criticism in regard to a number of other matters whioh he thinks ehonld he dealt with by the present Parliament. ,• THE VACANT SEAT. 7 If this really is Sir John’s attitude towards the honour public opinion would have thrust upon him —and on that point there appears to be very little doubt—the question of filling the vacant seat in the Cabinet' will again become one of wide interest/

Before Sir John’s election tbg names of several members were mentioned in connection with the appoint-ment—-those of Mr G. W>. Forbes, Mr T. K. Sidey, Mr W. A. Veitch, Mr H. Poland and Mr R. McCulluna among them—and immediately on bis return Sir Joseph Ward, who has insisted all along on equal party representation, will have to make a selection.

No salary wiil be attached to the office, as the law provides for only ten paid Ministers and Mr Hanan has succeeded to Dr McNab’s place on the Civil List, bat it will carry ceitain allowances and perquisites which will prevent it being a serious harden to its ocoapant.l