WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1921, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

FARMERS’ UNION REVIVAL. j 1 j EVANGELISTS satisfied. (Special to “Guardian.' ) WELLINGTON, Oct. ID'The. delegation from the Farmers’ Union, led by Mr W. J. I’olson, tho Dominion president of the organisation, which started lout on a towr of the South fsland seine three weeks ago, has returned well satisfied with the result of its labours on behalf of co-operative marketing, producer-own-ed add St a t-e-s n lisi disc d shipping and farmers’ agricultural banking. Mr Pol son and his twin colleagues, Captain h. Colbeek. the Dominion president; and Mr K. C. Jaok, addressed forty meetings of farmers during their absence at centres between Havelock and BBtfi, and received favourable receptions cvervw ltere. The only disquieting feature o l ' their tour, indeed, was tho absence of opposition to the gospel they were preaching. But this is the accepted way of the agricultural community and Mr Poison lias no doubt of its readiness to- join in a.n organised effort towards self-help. 'The delegates Dope to begin a systematic tour of the Xerth Island within the next few months, a-ml ltere no doubt their reioption will ho as encouraging as - it was in the South. Meanwhile they are devoting a little judicious attention to the politcians assembled m AY oilingtoil. LICENSING. ! Mr Massev’a statement in the House ’ | n s|. vv eok to the effect that if prohibition were not, carried at- the next poll Hie Government would have to review the whole system of licensing has aroused a good deal of Interest here. l*.-or otic thing it i.=i taken hv Doth parties to the liquor controversy to mean that there will be no amendment to the law la-fore the next appeal to the electors. Tlfis will suit the Trade, since it will keep the "State Control” issue, which proved its sheet anchor at the last. poll, on the ballot paper, and ■ can not; ho logically opposed by the prohibitionists. Mr Massey, who is less of . a partisan on this question than are ! some of his* colleagues, appears to he ; more concerned about his revenue than about tho relative merits of license and prohibition and probably the legislation he has in contemplation will pro- | vidn for a very substantial increase in ; licensing fees. Tin- general opinion i here, seems to be that the financial ■ stringency has lessened the chances of | prohibition being carried and that the l Prime Minister will bare an <>p|*ori t unity to squeeze a considerable slice of i additional revenue out, of tho Trade. ! STILL GOING SLOW, j When the Mouse rose on Friday I night it- was- expected that this week | the Government, would be ready to I posit ahead with the serious business of j the s'-ssion. But, the indications to-day : are that the Prime Minister will rej quire another week or So to piek up ' the threads lie was compelled to lay i dow n before his departure for [.ondon. He has been working very long hours 'since his return and has been in daily j (lonl'erence with his colleagues and the ' heads of departments, but there arc so many matters to he discussed and determined it may be another week before 1 he can materially accelerate the speed of the parliamentary machine. It was thought the Address-in-Reph? dcj bale would have carried the House J over the waiting period, but many members showed a curious disinclination to speak and the Prime! Minister’s colleagues could not magnetize them into a talkative mined. Three or four or live months hence members will lie crying out against being “gagged.” but just now they cannot ho persuaded to fake advantage of their opportunities. THE DTVTDED HOUSE.

It looks as if the various sections of the Opposition—Liberals, Independent Liberals, Moderate Labour. Official Labour, Progressives and Air Vigor Brown -were conspiring to hand over the Auckland East seat, vacated by the Hon A. M. Myers, to the Government. What other results they can, expect to achieve front putting six or four or even two candidates into thn field it is difficult to imagine. At the general election Mr Myers defeated Mr (.’lutha Ata.cKenzie hy only a narrow majority. ami though Mr AlacKenzie may lose some of Idle soldier sympathy vote that assist'd him on that occasion, he still will make a strong personal appeal to the constituency. If Mr G. AV. Russell, whose name has boon mentioned in connection with the contest, were given n dear run. his knowledge, experience a.nd platform ability might carry him through, hutj a, clear run in this ease is sure to be the monopoly <>f (he Reform candidate, whose friends .lie not in the habit of airing their differences of opinion in the face of tho oneniv.