WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1921, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE NATIONAL GAMP

SELECTORS AND BaKRACKERS

(Our Special Correspondent!

WELLINGTON, July 8

Foot!>lall is very much in the air and in the newspapers just now. The trial match on Wednesday for the selection of the New Zealand team to play against the South African visitors produced a groat game entirely worthy of the occasion and of its purpose. But the sclctors’ failure to- include “Teddy” Roberts, one of the ban-ack-ers’ worthy idols, in the chosen fifteen, lias brought forth a- storm of protest from thousands of lips and scores of pens, louder and more sustained than the cheers that greeted the progress of the play. “A blunder of the first magnitude,” “An offence to the public and the players,” “An injury to the prestige of the game, “As well Australian cricket without Armstrong as New Zealand football without Roberts, “An insult not only to Roberts, but to all followers of the game,” and “A proof of shameless incompeteney,” are a few of the expressions of amazed astonishment and indignant dissent taken from the letters with which the public prints are tjeefming. The kindliest- of the critics simply compliments the selectors upon their courage. MORE OF THE LOAN. Somewhat tardily Mr Massey has congratulated the Dominion upon the success of the five million loan. The Prime Minister is satisfied with the flotation and points to the fact that the rate of interest- is lower than that paid by some of the other Dominions. There always is a measure of consolation in the reflection that our own troubles are not so grievous as those of our neighbours and to this extent New Zealand may taken heart of grace from the afflictions of the Australian Mates. But by way of keeping the people of this Dominion in a frugal frame of mind the Acting Minister of Finance reminds them that the loan just' raised will not he available for the relief of the local financial stringency. The money will he required to meet the Domirion's obligation in London, including the cost of railway material and electric equipment. and the payment of interest. The discharge of these obligations with- | out trenching upon internal supplies, however, will relievo the Treasury very materially and so leave additional funds available for local expenditure. CHAOTIC CHEAPNESS.

Tn an official report of the proceedings at the meeting of representatives of the local soft goods trade held here on Tuesday it is stated that the situation is one calling for a united attempt on the part of tlie drapery, mercery and clothing retailers to bring about as soon as possible, a return of normal trading conditions,” in order to dispel the present atmosphere of doubt and uncertainty in tlie mind of the public and induce a healthier tone of confidence between salesman and customer.” The meaning of this somewhat cryptic utterance seems to he that the “half cost” and “your own price” sales which have been tickling the cupidity of the community during the last few months, are to cease and the ordinary methods of disposal to l>e resumed. To this, of course, there can he no reasonable objection, the chaotic cheapness promoted by frenzied advertising and flagrant window displays have been something of a delusion and a snare; hut the public will not tolerate a return to the inflated war prices and at the moment is regarding the drapers’ announcement with some suspicion. “NOBODY TO BLAME.”

'lhe prominence that has been given to the straitened condition of the city’s finance has brought upon the late Mayor Sr John Luke M.P., reproaches from many people who have held him responsible for the mounting up of the hank overdraft and for the absence of any adequate provision for its leduction. Sir John, with a compliant Council, held sway for eight years and it was not unnatural the Critics should point to him ns the author of the city’s 1 roubles. But Jasrt nighst the v.-w Mayor, Mr R. A. Wright M.P., whose unpleasatiF duty it had been to i-veal the unsatisfactory condition of the Council’s 'banking account, declared that nobody was to blame and that the giowth of the overdraft was simply inevitable. Tin's does not explain why the Council’s income had not been raised’ to meet its increased expenditure and many people continue to believe that a j sent in Parliament, added to the been- j pnney of the mayoral chair, makes the \ chief magistrate altogether too suscep- | tible to the influences that conspire towards saving the pockets of the ratepayers at any prico.