WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1921, Page 1

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE PUBLICITY DEPARTMENT

A neav enterprise

(Our Special Correspondent!

AVELLIN GTON, June 15

Mr Massey’s enterprise in attaching a publicity officer to his personal staff during his trip Home, after tho fashion of the Commonwealth Prime Minister, has kept the Dominion better informed of the doings of its delegate to the Imperial Conference than ever has been the case before. It has been told when and where its representative dined, with whom, what he said and how his remarks were received, all of which, of course has been very interesting and edifying and conducive to the public comfort and welfare. But the publicity officer rather overdid his role when lie saddled on to the Press Association this week a big story of the Prime Minister’s tiny adventure during his midnight ride between Oxford and London. Even the .“Dominion” protests against the cable being burdened with such a triviality to the exclusion of important nows. Other critics are more scathing in their remonstrance, but a nice sense of proportion is not a saving grace given to every publicity officer.

GOLD MINING. The Hon. G. J. Anderson, the Minister of Mines has returned to Wellington after an extensive tour of the gold-mining districts of South Island fully convinced that large quantities of the previous metal remain to he won from the earth and added to the wealth of the country. He intends during the next session to ask Parliament for a substantial vote for the encouragement of prospecting by private individuals and its prosecution by State enterprise. Tlie Minister does not wish to imply that tbe Mines Department has been remiss in these respects in the past; indeed the records show it has clone everything possible with the money at its disposal ; hut a new era for the mining is opening and an adequate effort is required to secure the liest results. Mr Anderson has entered upon his new task with enthusiasm and faith and it is to be hoped these two administrative virtues will bear fruit.

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. It seems that the Imperial Conference will open its sittings a good deal later than was expected to be the ease when Air Massey left for London nnd that, in consequence the return of the Prime Alinister and the opening of the next session of Parliament will he oonsifWaldv delayed. Of course Air ATassev’s time during the interval will not be wasted. There are a number of matters, in addition to tbe business of tlie Conference, requiring bis attention at Home. Tbe negotiations for the flotation of tbe public works loan, the allocation of tho wool profits, the inqniries concerning shipping freights and the disposal of New Zealand products would lie sufficient to keen him buSy.fer a month or two, even if the opening of tlie Conference were postponed so long. Rut it is expected to begin its work next week and then to stick closely to business till its programme it through.

PARLIAMENT. When the Prime Minister left for London it was understood that directly his colleagues were informed of liis departure on liis return journey Parliament would lie call’d together. Tt tlicn would have time to dispose of the purely formal business and the Address-in-Peply debate liefore its leader’s arrival in the 'Dominion. Now it seems probable that Mr Massey will not he able to leave Ixmdor before the middle of August and may not be in New Zealand till towards the end of September. This will mean, almost certainly, that Parliament will not be able to get through its work before Christmas, and that the oft threatened adjournment, over the holidays will actually eventuate. The session is bound to be a very busy one. There is a vast accumulation of arrears to make up and a- large amount of new business to bo handled, little of which can he touched till Mr Massey is on the spot A five months’ session is the oommon prediction.