WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 July 1917, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES.

THE MINISTERS’ TDIP HOME. STATEMENTS IN THE HOUSE. (Our Special Correspondent) WELLINGTON, July 3. Though intensely interesting as recitals ol* their experiences and observation;s during their trip Home, the statements made by Air. Alassey and S>T .Joseph Ward jii the House of Representatives yesterday must liavo been disappointing to those people who had been looking for startling disclosures. They coni aim'd little of importance the. insistcuit interviewer had not already extracted from the Ministers and necessarily nothing at all concerning the great questions discussed by the Imperial War Cabinet. Rut both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance were listened to with wrapt attention by a full House and crowded galleries and heartily applauded on the conclusion of their remarks. They touched lightly on' the criticism that had been directed against them from some quarters in connection with their j prolonged absence from the Dominion and without, inviting the reproach implied in the familiar French proverb, ' explained how their earlier return would have compelled them to leave uncompleted much oi. the work they had in hand. THE COMMERCIAL RESULTS. The Ministers were able to speak quite freely of the strictly commercial and financial achievements of their tour. Air. Alassey reviewed in some: details their negotiations with the Im-j perial Authorities i» regard to the pri- j cos to he paid for wool, meat, butter,! cheese and other commodities, and Sir Joesph Ward showed liow h'e had been able to affect a, saving of justi upon half a million in brokerage and other fees by discussing the subjects on the spot. They both expressed themselves in optimistic terms when referrng tb the course of the war, Air. Alassey hoping the <'nd would be reached this year and .Sir Joseph venturing upon a prediction to same effect, but they urged that the certainty of victory should stimulate the people of the Dominion t° still further efforts on behalf of the Empire and to still higher aspirations for the future. Their speeches in short, struck just. The right notes of assurance and determination and for those virtues they may be forgiven any of their minor defects. PARTY. That certain members of the House' are still a little sensitive on the question of “party” was shown yesterday afternoon when the Annister of Public Works proposed to continue the existence of an Advisory and furnishing Cominitftee which was yipointed Hast session to attend to various matters in 4 connection with the new parliamentary buildings. The committee happens to contain distinct majority of Reform members as most of the sessional committees do and -Dr. Thacker protested that it should not be revived without its party colour being modified. He had understood when the National Government was set up that party differences and distinctions would be set aside, buti this certainly bad not been the case in the appointment of committees and he would like the Alinister to reconsider his proposal. Mr. Fraser explained that this was “merely an ordinary committee” whose party colour was of no importance and the House apparently being of the same mind his motion was carried without further, dissent. SPEEDING UP. In presenting a petition in favour of six o’clock closing Air Craigie, the member for Timaru, who lias lively recollections of the futility of referring such documents to a sessional committee, moved; that it should go direct to the Government. Had there been any opposition of a single member, the motion could.mot have been entertained; but at the moment no one sCemed anxious to delay the progress of the petition, and Air Craigie got his way. It is hoped by those members who wish to see the cany closing question brought to a speedy vote that the result. will b e , to greatly hasten the decision. If the various petitions went before a committee their consideration might, be dragged on throughout, the whole length of the session without throwing the, faintest ray of additional light upon the main issue. If both sides agree to the course Air Craigie’s success has indicated, a great deal of time and temper will be saved and-a conclusion may be reached within a month.