WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 January 1920, Page 3

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(Our Special Correspondent). THE HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP. AN IMPENDING CHANGE. WELLINGTON, Dec. 31.

The Hon J. B. Hine is the only Minister in town to-day and lie, having lost his seat in Parliament at the recent election, naturally is not inclined to discuss the latest rumour in connection with the impending change at the High Commissioner’s office. It is generally expected here, however, that Sir James Allen will be Sir Thomas Mackenzie’s successor and that he will go Home early in the Now Year with somewhat extended representative status and authority, 'Mr Massey’s statement in Auckland contains no hint to this effect, but the Prime Minister’s reticence is taken to mean only that the time is not ripe fur the announcement. Sir Thomas Mackenzie has held the office under a four-monthly tenure —at his own request, it is authoritatively stated—and obviously be should! be the first to learn of the determination of the Government, NEW MINISTERS.

Probably another reason for the delay in making the Government’s intention in this matter known is the necessity of accompanying the announcement with some indication of the constitution of the reconstructed Cabinet. As it happens the Reform Party is not strong in financial talent, none of its members, with the exception of Mr Massey and Sir James Allen,. having .specialised in this department of administration, and it is quite likely the Prime Minister will take charge of the Treasury himself. There are several supporters of the Government in the Upper House with the necessary qualifications, notably Sir Francis Bejl, hut there is no recent' pificeflept for. the portfolio being hfld in that chamber. The suggestion put-forward in certain quarters that Sir Joseph again should be called to the rescue is regarded as a clumsy and 'Untimely jest. 'EDUCATION REFORMS. In her presidential address at the annual conference of the Women Teachers’ Association held here yesterday. Miss Chaplin of Christchurch made one of the most stirring appeals for reform that have been put forth for a very long time, Miss Chaplin spoke with the very highest credentials, haying obtained a signal measure of success in her profession, and she made her special appeal for the “handicapped children,” the little mites unhappily born and cast upon the world with the poorest possible equipment. Her address, no doubt, will be printed and reiterated everywhere. Fifty per cent of the children whp had left a city school without passing the fourth standard had been traced as unemployable, under police surveillance, or in refuge homes or training farms. With facts like this staring her the face, Miss Chaplin could not regard the education system as discharging half the duty the present generation owed to the children and to posterity. . THE LICENSING' POEL. the 'Prohibitionists are entertaining no sanguine expectations nf the licensing, poll turning in their favour, they have not lost all 'hope. At present tiie Prohibition vote is 922 behind the bare majority that Is required to turn the whole country “dry,” hut there still are some 12,000 votes to he counted. These comprise absentees’ votes, sailors’ votes and soldiers’ votes, and though a majority of the soldiers’ votes are sure to go for Continuance or State Control, it is just possible the absentees’ votes and the sailors’ votes may he sufficient to tip the scale in favour of Prohibition. At former polls the sailors’ votes have been fairly evenly diyided, aipl assuming the absentee voters follow the lead of the resident voters a small majority will he on the side of Prohibition. Whatever the first result a recount is pretty certain to be demanded.