WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1922, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE LIQUOR QUESTION. TRADE CONFERRING. SPECIAL TO GUARDIAN. . j WELLINGTON, March 15. A further conference of representatives of the various interests concerned is being held here this week, putting the finishing touches to the Trade’s preparations for the impending licensing campaign. The delegates' are very reticent as to their plans, but it is known that their organisation is on an exceptionally large and comprehensive scale and that abundance! of money is at their disposal. In this respect the Trade is more fortunate than its opponent, the New Zealand Alliance. The Prohibitionists’ organisation made its supreme effort at the last poll, and f illed by only the votes diverted to State Control; but it exhausted its financial resources in the fight, and there is little prospect of it being able to resumo the struggle with its old vigour. The Prohibition leaders do not admit as much as this, but they realise their activities must be somewhat restricted by their lack of funds. The ‘Trade, however, is leaving nothing to chance. Tt already has the country mapped out into districts each under a capable organiser, backed up by a small army of assistants. It' is | goihg into tile fight equipped at every point. THE MEAT FOOL. I There is surprise and dissatisfaction here a't the failure of the Government to confirm Mr,W. D. Hunt’s nomination to the Meat Producers’ Board as the representative of thei stock and station agents. Mr Hunt was chosen by the appointed constituency by an overwhelming majority, by ten rotes to three, to be precise and no logical refisbfi has yet been given for the Government’s attitude. It hfis been Stated that Mr Hunt’s connection with a very lairge and influential firm and Ins distrust of the meat pool scheme have been urged as good reasons* for his exclusion from the Board. But this would he entirely contrary to the spirit in which the Prime Minister offer ed representation to the agents. A less capable and a more compliant mart can never have been in his mind. Tile fitct that Mt Hunt is a* big figure iii tilt? stuck a fid ageiic.V business would seeiii proof of Ids stiit&bliity for tiie appointment aiid the ftllegation that he is critical concerning , the soundness of the pooling scheme rather suggests his counsel would be useful to its ardent supporters. THE WHEAT SUBSIDY.

North Island fanners are not- showing thelllselves very enthusiastic over tlie proposal of the North Canterbury Fanners' wheat crop. 'Hie fact of the matter is that the growers of wheat in this part of the Dominion have not profited by their enterprise to the extent they expected. The cost of production has been high and the harvest weather has not been altogether favourable. In the circumstances it would take a price quite as high as the one guaranteed this year to tempt thorn tc remain in the industry. Meanwhile the Government is Glowing no anxiety to fall in with the Cant .w!)orv farmers. Probably the Minister of Agriculture will make an announcement oil the subject within the next drty fir two :tnd it is pi'ettv certain lo amount to a refusal to spoon feed the wheat growers any further. Mr Noswortby has procured a fairly huge subsidy for them by inducing Parliament to impose a duty of 2s per lOOlbs upon imported wheat and with that they should he content in normal times.

SHADOW OF GENED AT/. ELECTION.

Mr T. M. Wilford, the leader of the Liberal-Labour Opposition, is away in the South Island, where lie is expected to remain for a fortnight or so; but liis friends here are not allowing the grass to grow oil the party patch. Their leader at least lias managed to inspire thelrt with the idea that the time is ripe for a great revival in polities and that the opportunity d the “progressive forces” is at hand. No douht the Government, like all Governments that have lived beyond the span allotted to them by tradition, jias wearied some of its friends.- but Mr Massev remains the strong man of the situation and very likely much of the criticism he is encountering to-day will find no expression at the polls. The real danger confronting him lies in the improving relations between Liberalism and moderate Labour. If this movement should continue t contest next December will be very interesting and full of possibilities. The Hollandses and the Frasentes, m all probability, will continue to plough their lonely furrow.