WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1920, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

ASIATIC IM.MTGR ATION. PROTESTS AGAINST ADMISSION. (Our Special Correspondent). AVELLINGTON, Nov 22. The cable published this morning to the effect that 130 East Indians have arrived at Suva on their way to New Zealand will not tend to allay the indignation of a large body of workers at the admission of immigrants of this class. Probably this party of Indians left the" East before the new law in regard to immigrants came'pinto force and in that case they will be subject to the old conditions, which impose only a rudimentary education test'. But returned soldiers in various parts of the Dominion are raising their voices in loud protest aganst the introduction of what they call unfair competition with white workers and are obtaining a pretty general hearing. Tho Minister of Labour however ,has pointed out that the legislation of last session provides ample protection against an influx of Asiatics and that there is not the least danger of the country being over-run by undesirables. COST OF LIVING BONUS. An impression got abroad that the Government lias been- exercising some pressure upon the Arbitration Court in connection with the review of the new cost of living bonus and irresponsible people are talking about Ministerial interference with tho administration of the law and so forth. There I is, of course, no justification for' this kind of criticism. When he indicated tentatively tho amount of the bonus, Mr Justice Stringer made it quite clear that the Court would he prepared to hear argument on the subject at its next sitting and this presumably is what it is going to do. As many branches of the public service will he affected by the Court’s final decision, it devolves upon the Government to place the facts plainly before the president and his colleagues. It is reported that the employers are going to challenge the Government Statistician’s cost of living figures and if this is tho ease tho review will assume very particular interest. RAILWAY DEVIATION. Tho agitation against the proposed railway deviation at Palmerston North, which would save some 17 or 18 miles in the journey between Wellington and Auckland, by making a short-cut from Levin to Greatford, whilo reaching its greatest fervour in the district immediately concerned, is finding a very emphatic echo here. It is urged on behalf of the present route that Palmerston North is tho natural centre of a wide district served by tho Main Trunk line and that tho deviation, while shortening tho journey between the two big centres to some extent, would bo enormously costly and would give no corresponding advantage in working tho railway system. Lookers on are predicting that the outcome of the agitation will be a protracted delay in effecting the much needed improvements at Palmerston North and that tho Minister of Public Works will welcome the excuse the contending parties are providing for postponing a work which would make a big inroad upon the funds at his disposal. ELECTORAL RjEORM. Various attempts have been made here lately to turn public attention to the need for electoral reform, but so far tho seed of proportional representation distributed by a zealous little band of workers in Auckland has fallen on barren ground. Tho truth of tho matter is that politically Wellington Is the most apathetic centre in the Dominion. Probably it hears and sees too much of politics during tho recess. That, at any rate, is tho only explanation people who deplore its attitude can offer. In tho case of proportional representation however, there always is the additional difficulty that the party in offico is disposed to bo well content with the system of election that has placed it there. Then it is obvious to everyone that durink the life of the present Parliament there is little prospect of any change from the existing system and this in itself it sufficient to extinguish any enthusiasm that might otherwise be raised in tho capital city.