WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1917, Page 3

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(Our Special Correspondent) cost ofTiving. PRICES AND SUPPLIES. . Wellington, July n No Minister of the Crown has i yet vouchsafed to explain to M i Wiltord why in New Zealand, with jits twenty-five million sheep and j its two and a half million cattle, I and with its stores literally overflowing with mutton and beef, “we are paying so much tor our meat” ; but the Government Statistician in his latest “ Monthly Abstracts ” has thrown some lurid light on the subject by showing how prices have advanced since the beginning of the war. The movement began some months before the actual outbreak of hostilities. During the period between 1909 and 1913 the index number indicating the average price of meat in twent} r -five representative towns of the Dominion was i,ooo. At the end of July. 1914, on the eve of the rupture with German}’, the figure had increased in Auckland to 1,258, in Wellington to 1,090, in Christchurch to r.oyo and in Dunedin to 1,056. In Auckland and Christchurch there were slight declines in prices during the first twelve months of the war and in Wellington and Dunedin the increases were comparative!}' moderate ; but since May. 1915, the advance has been uninterrupted and rapid. In Auckland the index number now stands at 1,460, in Wellington at 1,339, in Christchurch at 1.420 and in Dunedin at 1,397. WHAT IS HAPPEN'XG. That meat is selling at a lower price in Wellington than it is in any of the other large centres is popularly attributed to the operations of one of the freezing companies which has entered the retail trade and made an enormous success of its venture. Iy, the prices of dairv produce and groceries and the rates of rent, Wellington is the dearest town in the Dominion, but in the price of meat it is. according to the Government Statistician, the cheapest, with the single exception of Blenheim", whose index number for this commodity, which stood at 1,0:]5 on the eve of the war, has advanced only to 1,287, while the Dominion average which stood at 1,070 has reached 1,367. In Haihilton the present index number is 1,385,' in Gisborne 1,518 in Napier 1,495 in. New Plymouth--1,552, in Wanganui 1,578. in Taihape 1,664, in Palmerston North' 1,552, in Grevmouth 1,536, in Titnaru 1408, in Oamaru 1,630 and , in Invercargill 1,460. Mail}’people are quoting what has happened in Wellington in respect to meat as an illustration of what might have happened in other centres and in respect to all commodities had the Government taken hold oftheposi tioii at the beginirngof the war and applied the necessary restrictions to the operations of private enterprise, but of course the subject is too controversial for discussion here. . THE LABOUR PARTY. Mr. McCombs’s retirement from the leadership of the Parliamentary Labour Party has provoKed a vast amount of comment and some very plain speaking. The report that tho trouble arose over discussions within the party concerning its attitude towards six o’clock closing and towards the licensing question generally is now confirmed by admissions from the member for Lyttelton himself hut it., must not be assumed the members from whom lie has separated himself are in the accepted sense “pro liquor.” They, may have philosophic doubts as to the best way of dealing with “the trade” or they may have conscientious convictions as to the superiority of State control over prohibition But their critics are proceeding on j the assumption that their votes have being brought and are unsparing in thior * condemnation- Echoes ot the trouble i were hoard in the cifv pulpits on Sunday, one reverend gentlemen going tc tin, length of reading the share list oi one of the local newspaper companies in order to make it plain why its paper . was opposed to reform, and another ap- ' pealing to tho working men to free them selves from tho domination of tho drinl traffic. With Mr. McComb’s withdrawal th< Party in Parliament, becomes a roucl attenuated body. Mr. Hindmarsli am Mr. Veitch indicated their independ pnee last session and now Hon. J. T 1 Paul is reported to be about to fol’ov their example. Mr. Payne lias neve owned allegiance to the group and Mr 1 Webb is absent on leave, so that Mi : Walker seems n't the moment to const - ute the whole party. - . THE ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. ’ The debate on the Address-in-Repl 1 promises to be the standing dish i 3 the House of Representatives for tl * next two or three weeks and Ministei * ar<» showing no disposition to hurry 0 off the order paper. So far* the deha: 0 has been a little disappointing to tho: | people who were looking for sensation ! happenings early in the session, hi ■ it has provided plenty of indications ' i the growing spirit of independence whit - was manifested in various quarters chi l ing tho recess. .Members are still tolerant of tl short-comings of the National Gover ' mont and still ready to look upon i * mistakes and its failures with an indn J gent eye, but they show no reluctan j in mentioning the mistakes and failuri - and no diffidence in pointing out ho