WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1918, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES.

new lords

LIST NOT YET COM I’LETT-

i (Our Special Correspondent;

WELLINGTON. May S. Notwithstanding the efforts of tli prophets and the quidnuncs, the ofii cial list ol new Legislative Councillor pul dished yesterday contained' severe surprises. Mr Charles Louissou’s nann had been mentioned among the “pro babies, ’ but- the particular interest with which he is associated were si well represented among the ‘certainties that the report of the honour awaiting him was not generally credited. The astonishing addition to-the list-, however, was the name of Mr A. L, T). Fraser, a gentleman who has not yet broil [ down the revelations which followed-up-on his disagreeable “Hinc charges” and whose only, later claim to distinction rests upon his retirement from the Hawse’s Bay bye-election, ft is understood that- the appointment of Mr (!. J. -Smith is delayed in consequ. cnee of his holding a salaried position in connection with the Defence Forces and that later on the addition of his 'name will complete the score of new liOrds. THE GENERAL ELECTION. A belated message from Auckland published this morning gives the substance- of a statement concerning the further postponement of the general election made by Mr Massey on the, eve of his departure from the “Queen ! City” oil route for the Old Country. The statement adds nothing to what the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance already have said on the subject , hut lits publication lias given some of 1 lie disgruntled politicians an opportunity to reiterate tlieir. former de-| nureiotion of the Government’s action. Tt is significant, however, that a- great majority- of the sane workers who a year ago were complaining of the postponement of the appeal to the electors are now recognising that it was the only meins by which their adequate, represen till ion in Parliament shortly after the war could have been assured; An election at the. end of the current- year inovii'blv would result in the return of th (A National Government secure in its position till 1921. SOLDIERS’ CLAIMS. The somewhat startling evidence being extracted" from unwilling witnesses by the chairman of the War Expenditure Commission has produced a- fresh crop of complaints concerning the. treatment of sick and wounded soldiers and the dependents of those who; have lost their lives. The newspapers have been deluged with letters on the subject and their reporters have been kept b. sy investigating specified cases. The result, speaking generally, has been to show that a very large proportion of the complaints rest on the very flimsiest foundation or have arisen from some misunderstanding that could have been 'easily removed if the aggrieved parties Ju.d placed themselves in cominunicati in with the’ proper authorities. The Government, urged -{in by a Parliament tl at certainly has not been unmindful of" the claims and the needs of the men and tlieir dependents, is not unwilling to do its duty, hut to obtain satisfaet r.v results it must have the eo-opera-tion of the sufferings of tlieir friends. A SYMPATHETIC MINISTER. This was a burden of speech delivered at a gathering of Druids to welcome returned soldiers by the Hon. A. M. Myers, the Minister of Munitions :>. "d Supplies, who during the absence of Sir Joseph Ward has had the bur- I d.-ns and worries of the Treasury added to liis daily lot. Provision, ho said, 1 1 " id been made for all soldiers incapa- < Stated or partially incapacitated from t king tlieir place in the industrial li eof the community, and be would 1 li\"c to have the names of those who thought- they had not received the assistance to which they were entitled. He asked them to submit the whole position to . 4’ne Government and he was sure it I would receive earnest and sympathetic consideration. Words of this kind comi"ig from Mr Myers are the best assurance the public can have of the desire of the Government to do its full duty towards the sufferers from the war. The Minister indulges in no heroics, but what lie says he does and returned soldiers should respond frankly to his cordial invitation.