WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 September 1918, Page 4

WELLINGTON NOTES.

THE COAL DISPUTE. SATISFACTORY SETTLEMENT (Our Special Correspondent)

WELLINGTON, Sept. 23 There is a general feeling of relief here at the settlement of the coal dispute on a basis that promises to prove stable and satisfactory to both parties The fuel question in both its industrial and domestic aspects has been causing a good deal of inconvenience and anxiety- for months past and the city is breathing easier for knowing the trouble is ended. It is hoped, too, that the better relations which have been established between the mine owners and the men by concession on both sides will prevent a recurrence of the trouble for many long years. The conference which preceded the final settlement can hardly help being wide-reach-ing in its results, and may even lead Lo the adoption of a system of conciliation by mutual concession which ultimately will supersede the statutory tribunals altogether. That, however, is looking rather far ahead. For the present the community is content with beinp grateful for what lias happened. THE TRAMWAY TROUBLE

The tramway trouble still remains with the people of Wellington and at the moment, seems likely to pass through more serious stages before a settlement is reached. The men, like the miners, and, for the matter of that like all workers who are demanding higher wages, are basing their case on the increased cost of living and so far not without a considerable-measure of public sympathy. They are not threatening a strike, hut they are actually practising the “go-slow” alternative. The car service has been reduced, in consequence of tlie motor-men and conductors refusing to work overtime, and the service that remains is running irregularly. The City Council’s offer of a 10 per cent, bonus has been rejected and thc men are standing firmly to their demand for a minimum wage of Is 4(1 an hour. The Mayor states this would mean an additional expenditure of £12,000 a year and the men retort this would represent merely their additional expenditure upon the necessaries of life. THE BY-ELECTION.

The cost of living, it is now more plain than ever, is going to be made the chief hone of contention in the Wellington Central campaign. The nomination of candidates is taking place to-day. and though it is probable one or two of the gentlemen who have announced themselves may restrain their vaunting, ambition at the last moment it is pretty certain there will be three or four candidates on one side raging at the Government for not having kept down the price of bread and meat, and butter and the rest, and only one of the other side emphasising the advantages New Zealand enjoys in this respect. Mr, Hildreth, the Government’s nominee, has not yet taken the public platform, hut it is reported that he is making good headway in the constituency and that ho will not prove the ‘•dumb dog” the people who want to saddle him with all the sins of his sponsors are making him out to be. LAND SETTLEMENT.

The telegraphed summary of the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald’s remarks at Gisborne on the subject of land settlement lias attracted a good deal of attention here and is taken in some quarters to indicate a great forward movement in the land policy of the Government. This is a subject on which the members of the National Cabinet could not he expected to see exactly evo to eyo, and an inevitable result of their differences of opinion has been to keep it in the back ground during the last few years. But Mr. D. IT. Guthrie succeeded, to the portfolio of Lands with ideas of his own, not necessarily in entire accordance with those of his predecessor in office, and people who may be supposed to be in his confidence declare he has measures in preparation which will make for the closer occupation and more profitable employment of the land for the country. In any effort of the kind he may he sure of the cordial support of liis colleague, the Minister of Agriculture.