WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1921, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT. DISCUSSES ITSELF. SI’KCIAI. TO (.'CAItDIAX. WELLINGTON, October 20. Last night the Post and Telegraph Department, which has been much discussed lately in connection with the Government's various economising activities, was discussing itsdl as it were.. The occasion was the smoke concert, which forms part ol the entertainment extended to the delegates attending the annual conference ol the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association, and the incentive a desire to let the public know the Department was fully* alive to wlnt was going on in the" world. The speakers all had good advice to offer the Government, and j though the Prime Minister ami the | Postmaster-General were not there to I receive it in person it doubtless "ill iRe communicated to them in due ; course. The men’s representative on | the Promotion Board spoke strongly in favour of the revival of the regulations providing for the reward of s|K'ei:d ability, the Secretary of the Department doubled the wisdom of substituting young men for old, the Assistant Secretary announced that the average salary in the service bad risen since 1911-12 from £l9O to £2-17 per annum, and other officers deprecated the retirement of officers in the prime of life, demanded political rights, for civil servants and hinted at the Association joining the Alliance ol l.abnui. [LOCAL BODIES.

Though the Local Doilies Finance Bill, introduced by the Minister of Internal Alla its. obtained its second reading in the House last night, it was not till the Minister had promised to set up a committee to report upon the measure before il was carried further, * From all parts of Ihc House cam,, suggestions that the Bill had been introduced at the instigation ol the hanks with the set purpose of compelling the local bodies to pay overdraft, rates for such temporary ncco'iiiuiodntion as they might icq'ti'iix' instead of accepting deposits at lower rates. Sir Joint Luke, Wellington s "war mayor.” whose attachment to tlie Government no one ever doubts, was one of the most scathing critics ...f the Bill. "Idle Ml 11. A. Wriglii. his successor in the mayoral chair, was among its lew fervid supporters. Much ot the opposition to tile measure -came from the Government's side ol the House, and though Mr Massey assisted his colleague in bringing his supporters into line it was only the promise of a committee that averted a prolonged wrangle. It is a tradition oi the House that members knowing more about local government Ilian they do about national govcirnmdilt. always are ready to make the former a bone of contention. PUBLIC EX I’F.N DITUKE It is tinderslod now that the Government's proposals in regal'd to economics in the public service will not ljC fully disclosed till the Financial .Statement is brought down. Meanwhile speculation as to the nature o| the proposals continues and many suggestions on the subject are being offered to the Government. There is a growing feeling out-sidu Parliament, that Ministers will require all the assistance that can lie given them by the public in reconciling the members of the House to the necessary cut in the public expenditure. The economies -Ml- Massey has indicated, even if t lev are taken at their taco value, some million and a hull or so. would not nearly meet the needs of the situation. Five millions is tho amount mentioned by business men as the least amount that would justify any substantial reduction in taxation. The task of reducing the annual expenditure by this amount will be congenial to neither Ministers nor members and unless tlic former are assured ol the earnest support ol the public it never will he accomplished. CUSTOMS TARIFF REVISION.

The iinpendinti Customs Turifl revision was mentioned in the I louse yesterday, Air Edward Xewman. the meinbe'r for Manawatu. want inn to know a hot her the (Jovcrnmcnt's proposals would he in the direction of revenue or protect ion. Air Alasscy, of course, could not oivo the 1 louse any indication of the heat of the proposals he had in contemplation. but be assurod Mr Newman tin* (•ovornniont was “out tor rvv<*nui»“ and offered no objection to an in torjcclion suggesting it was seeking “a mixture* of the two.’* f .I lu> general impression in the House and among bn sit h'\ss moil is that tin* revised tariff wll impose* largely increased duties oil luxuries of all kinds, including such “necessaries of 1 ift*’ ? as spirits and motor cars and will make very low concessions of any sort. Tlnre is a petition before tin* House from the Flour Millers’ Association asking for increased duties on flour and wheal, hut iu the lobbies it is not thought this prayer for further protection will apjieal just now oven to a farmers’ Parliament. The millers are popular ly supposed to liavo done very well out of the and tho disposition of members is to t<*ll them to rest and be thankful.