WELLINGUSH NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 October 1918, Page 1

WELL INGUSH NOTES.

THE WAR NEWS

WELLINGTON KEEPS ITS HEAD

(Our Special Correspondent)

WELLINGTON, Oct. 21. Though Wellington is the* political capital and tin* chici' military centre of Dominion it is not losing its head ovoi tho sonsational war news ot the last ; lew da vs. ft rang its bells anti waved j its Hags—a 1 Hth* prematurely sonic thought—wlu-n -Marshal Foeli began his ! offensive oil the W estern 1' rout, ami rang and waved again when he aehie\l e.'l somt‘ minor ineasr.ro of success; but i now that lie has practicall.v the whole of ilie German armies in retreat it remains outwardly <|iiito nnaflccted. There is intense satisfaction, oT course, and a general feeling ol relict, but ; then* is no demonstrating. The : city realises that the great crisis of the I war is over, that complete victory is I now only a matter of months at most j and that its next jubilation must be I reserved for the final development. I liotli -Mr Massev and Sir Joseph Ward have commented appreciatoly upon its i restraint. I the. liquor QUESTION. I Since their return to the Dominion both the party leaders have been interviewed by representatives of the Moderate' League and of the New Zealand Alliance in regard to the proposed liquor referendum and it is expected that in a day or two, perhaps before these lines appear in print, they will make independent announcements on the subject-. The question will be submitted to the House as a non-party one, but at the moment it seems likely it will take the shape demanded by_ the Alliance with the issue of State Control added. Mr Massey was all opponent and Sir Joseph Ward a supporter of the principle of State Control last session. but it is said that the ox-Pritne Ministers observation while, at Home has led hint to modify liis views in this respect and that he will facilitate the three issues, continuance, national proi Iti Lit ion and State control, being put before the electors. SOIiDTEIf»S SETTLE!LENT. It is understood that the reports to be presented to Parliament during the approaching session will show that Wellington is the only land district in the Dominion in which any substantial progress is being made with tlu* important work of settling returned soldiers on the land. The actual figures are not yet available, but people who have been watching the progress of the work declare that when they arc published they will show that more settlement, of this kind, measured by the number of men actually placed upon the land, has token place, in the Wellington district than in all the other districts put together. Tf this is so, it is not because land is better or cheaper or more abundant in Wellington than it is in other districts, but because of the, Commissioner here and his colleagues on the Land Board have recognised more fully than have the authorities elsewhere the urgency of making adequate provision for the soldiers coming back from the war.

THE SESSION. Parliament will meet for the transaction of business, as the sterotvped phrase goes ,oii Thursday, but it is not likely it will settle down to serious work before the beginning of next week. After the usual ceremonial proceedings an adjournment will he made out of respect to the members of both branches of the Legislature that have passed away during the recess. Ministers are still hoping that they may he able to release members before the Christmas holidays, hut the date of the prorogation will depend very largely upon the attitude of members themselves. If tliev are anxious to make a demonstration of zeal and independence for the edification of their constituents which would he a verv natural desire in the circumstances —Ministers will accept the inevitable without any attempt at driving tactics. In that case Parliament will adjourn over the holidays and resume work early in the new year.