WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1919, Page 4

WELLINGTON NOTES.

RAILWAY SERVANTS

WAGES AND CONDITIONS

(Our Special Correspondent)

Wellington, Feb 21

A deputation from the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants waited upon the Minister of Railways y .sterday and placed before him the demands of the men for increased pay and better conditions. Mr lierries was interested and sympathetic, but he gave the deputation no indication of his intentions. He still has to receive a deputation from the higher officexs of the Department and after listening to the representations it has to make he will set about the preparation of the new schedule and endeavour to have it completid by the end of next mouth. The men still hold firmly to their determination to press their demands and to resist any compromise that would fall short uf the concessions they are seeking. They have a strong body of public opiniou behind them and the active support of many members of Parliament.

TUB FOURTH I’AKTV. In commenting upon a statement concerning the new polilical party made iu this column some days ago, the “ Dominion” says it will be time enough for the party to choose a Ministry when it has secured a majority in Parliament. “At the same time,” it adds, both Mr Massey and Sir Joseph War! are liable to find their hopes and aspirations somewhat rudely disturbed by the activities of the new political organisation. The country, we believe, would prefer to see a regrouping of political forces and it is quite within the realms of possibility that an organisation such as that which is being formed from the rauks of the more active and progressive elements in the present Parliament might capture popular sympathy and support and score a decisive win at the coming elections.” Evidently the best informed of the Wellington journals does not regard the talk ot a new party as idle street corner gossip.

FRUIT AML) VEGETABLES. The exorbitant retail prices charged in Wellington for fruit and vegetables constituted the grievance a deputation carried to the Minister of Internal Affairs yesterday. During these late summer months when supplies ought to be abundant consumers are paying as high as 7d per pound for apples, 9d per pound lor peaches, Gd for half a dozeir small carrots and as much as 1/3 tor a shop-worn cabbage. Mr Russell’S advice to the deputation was, in effect, to stir up the municipal authorities to a better conception of their duty in matters of this kind. Under the Municipal Corporations Act the City Council had power to establish markets for the sale of foodstuffs, and if it would exercise its power in a sane business-like way it would confer an enormous benefit upon the public and upon the actual growers ot fruit and vegetables and other produce.

sum;tit;ax tramways. Mr R. A. Wright, the member for Wellington Suburbs, has approached the Minister of Railways with a suggestion that the legislation prohibiting the construction of a tramway along the Hutt road should be repealed, and that Petone and the rural land beyond should be opened up tor the relief of the congested population of the city, The Minister’s inept reply to the suggestion, published this morning, is that he can fiud no statut tory restrictions upon tramway extensions to Wellington suburbs excepiu the case of the Hutt road. Whether this is intended to be simply evasive or wholly humourous the citizens are not troubling to inquire, but Mi Merries is being roundly assailed on all sides as an obstructionist and an enemy to progress. Feeling is running so high, indeed, that even his colleagues may hesitate to support the Minister in his extraordinary attitude.