WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1918, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES.

Tin: shipping orTboou. ' RELIEF NOT, IX STOHT/ (Oiir Special CorreS|>qn:lent) WELL! N< (TON Maiyh 18 During his visit to Boston on Satur,l;,v the Ihi mo Minister referred less optimistically than lms been his wont 111,- shipping outlook. He could not ~-ouii so a speedy improvement m the ■ oodtion and ho implied it might lie 'oven worse before it was better. Blit. • course, he was hopeful. The Government was doing its best: and the Imperial Authorities were , doing their host, and between them they ought to lind a way out of. the difficulty. In uieautime tin- 'plain.'duty ol New Zealand was to increase its production in every direction possible, and to prepare for the keen competition, tat wrctld follow the conclusion ol the war. Business men inXiTellington heartily endorse Mr. Massey’s appeal 10. the farmers, hut they view with some mis. giv.ings the accumulation ol stocks in the country, and are discussing quite, seriously Captain Whitney's suggestion that some of the vessels now used ns coal hulks in the various ports should he refitted for sea service. AMERICAN COMPETITION, ft is a matter of common talk here that-the acute shortage of shipping in New Zealand is largely due to America's entrance into the war and its stupendous efforts to keep its European Allies supplied with foodstuffs. A voyage across the Atlantic even in present conditions is a much less tedious and no more hazardous undertaking than a vovage from "Wellington to Condon, and in her present straits the Mother Country must got wlmt slio wants from the source that, eait supply it most quickly. There is ,no need to take a nessimistie view of this new factor in tile position, as both America, and Britain are straining every nerve to provide all the shipping required, "but if New Zealand suffers some inconvenience, and loss from the absence of shipping facilities. it must look upon them as | part of its share in the ill fortunes "of the war. So far. as Mr Massey pointed , out at Foxton, it has escaped many of the burdens and all the .calamities that have fallen epon other parts of- the Empire . .RETURNING SOLDIERS-.

Whether tho very strong language employed hv the Mayor of Auckland in denouncing tlie inadequacy of the arjrangement made by the military authorities for the reception of the returned soldiers in the “Queen City” on Friday was justified ,or not, it will he easier to say whoa the men’s own account of their treatment is available. But meanwhile people here are recollecting that on one or two occasions lately there have been loud complaints of unconscionable delays in giving their waiting friends access to the returning heroes. The trouble seems to have arisen from a number of formalities—medical examinations, inspection of luggage. checking of pay-books and so forth —being postponed till the transports are alongside the wharf. Sir .Tames Allen lias undertaken to make full enquiry into, the Auckland trouble and perhaps his investigation will lead to the adoption of saner and more convenient methods.

NATIONAL EFFICIENCY BOARD. The announcement that the National Efficiency Board is about to undertake a thorough investigation of the education system of the Dominion has created a good deal of surprise among people acquainted with the vast amount of more urgent and practical work that remains for the members of the Board to do. That the education system requires over-hauling everyone with know ledge admits, but it lias not been sunposed the Board had any special qualifications 'for this- task. The “New Zealand Times” this morning reflects a large volume of local opinion when it suggests that if the. members have tired of the lium-drum duties allotted to them by their order of reference they might turn their attention profitably to an investigation of the public service,. which is some respects has fallen into a sad state of disrepair under the stress of war. But judging from the reports of some of the district committees *hcre are less complex troubles throughout the country calling aloud for the healing hand of the hoard