WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1918, Page 4

WELLINGTON NOTES.

TIIH WAR CENSORSHIP. INFLAM M ATOM Y LITER AT UR E (Our Special Correspondent) WELLINGTON. .Tune 10.

The HOll. A, M. Mvers, who is bearing the. burdens of the Treasury as well as those of his own Departments, during the absence of Sir Joseph Ward, has lately had a little controversy with the Protestant Political Association added to his multitudinous labours and responsibilities. As .Minister of Customs lie is entrusted with the war censorship of imported literature and in his discretion be lias decided that certain boohs the P.P.A. —to give the Association its proper title —wishes to circulate in support of its propaganda are to a large section of the community of such an offensive character, within the meaning of the War Regulations, they should not be admitted to the country. Not satisfied with the Minister’s decision the Executive ot the P.P.A. sent deputation headed by the Rev. Howard Elliott ami the Rev. Knowles Smith to further urge upon the Government the League’s claim to distribute what literature it pleased in support of what its members believed to be a righteous cause. FOR UNITY AND CONCORD.

Tile deputation was received by Sir Francis Bell and .Mr ..livers and after the Attorney-General had explained the legal aspect of tho matter the Minister of Customs reiterated what he had said to a similar deputation in Auckland. He had no doubt the League was acting under a sincere sense of duty, but it was moving at the wrong time and, if lie might be permitted to say so, in the wrong way. . The League would be within its rights in challenging the Roman Catholic Church on religious doctrines or political principles, but it would not be justified in impugning its motives or denouncing its practices. This was a time for unity and concord in the face of a great national peril, not for religious and social dissensions. and the Government was going to do what it conceived to he its duty regardless of any political pressure that might he threatened or applied. It must be understood this was a questtion of general "concern, not one of par tv politics. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

More or loss circumstantial stories have been in circulation for weeks part in regard to the treatment of military prisoners in the special gaol at Wanganui and the local news, papers have received many letters on the subject which have not reached the length of publication. Some of the allegations are of a most serious nature and one or two are supported by a wealth of what purports to bo corroborative evidence that cannot be brushed liglily aside. A letter signed by six of the prisoners, describing cases of the roughest handling, to put it very mildly, has been seen by responsible people, and it is understood its contents have been brought under the notice of the Minister of Defence. Sir James Allen and General Henderson discredit tho stories, but the Minister has promised to have them investigated and to deal promptly with any abuses that may bo discovered.

COST OF LIVING

The excessive cost of living is always a grievance with the people of of Wellington and the complaint of the Nelson civil servants has brought it into prominence again. According to tho official statistics, however, the good folk of Nelson, who do not enjoy tho best of communication with the outside world, are not nearly so badly off in this respect as are those of the capital city, which, of course, prides itself upon being the chief centre of distribution in the Dominion. .The Government Statistician shows that while the cost of commodities and rent taken together have advanced 41 per cent in "Wellington compared with the average during the live years before the, war, they have advanced only 23 per cent, in Nelson. In Auckland the advance has been 25 per cent, in Christchurch 18 per cent, in Dunedin 21 per cent, in Hamilton 24 per cent, in Gisborne 28 per cent, in New Plpmouth 24 per cent in Wanganui 25 per cent, in Taihape 36 per cent, in Palmerston North 22 per "cent, in Blenheim 16 per cent, in Greymouth 15 per cent, in Oamaru 19 per cent, and in Invercargill 18 per cent. The truth of tho whole matter seems to be that Wellington, where rents, in spite of the legislation havo increased 33 per cent, is the only place where the cost of living has grown beyond all the reasons and excuses provided by the war.