WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1922, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

NEW ZEALAND NAVAL DEFENCE. AN OVER ZEALOUS JOURNALIST. SPECIAL TO GUARDIAN. WELLINGTON, May 22. Tire Prime Minister’s statement on Saturday in regard to New Zealand’s contribution towards the naval defence of the Empire seems to have been the outcome ot a message sent to one ot the London newspapers by a somewhat over-zealous correspondent here. This young lion of the local Press, if the story is being correctly told, despatched to his employers a cable to the effect that New Zealand and its Government were simplv burning with anxiety to identify themselves more closely with the British Navy, hut could not move in tig matter without knowing the wishes of the Home authorities. The Admirrtty, probably taken back more than a little by the coyness of the Dominion, promptly inspired a return message intimating that it would be very glad indeed if New Zealand could see its way to add to tbe great services it already bad rendered to tbe Empire by shouldering a still further share of the naval burden. Now Mr Massey, while toitlirming the part of the story dealing with the desire of the Dominion to discharge its full duty in this matter, has to remind everyone concerned that the time is not opportune for tine gratification of its wish. THE HOUSE FAMINE. Tbe reality of tbe bouse famine was brought home even to the indifferent people of Wellington last week by the announcement that the City Council bad gianted permission for the erection of a Tent at Brooklyn for tbe accommodation of a family of six whose bead Lad been unable to find any other resting place for his wife and children. A tent may be made a very comfortable residence even in winter time, if it is properly pitched and properly equipped, l,ui 'b' : se hitherto indifferent people are alarmed lest tbe capital city, on which they have prided themselves, should become known as "canvas town,” an appellation which survives from the old pioneering and mining days. When the Application for permission I <> erect the tent at Brooklyn was before tbe Council mm of th© - member* declared Unit unDss the cost of building material came down tbe Town Belt would be covered with such ereerions. As it is, tbe Council has been compelled to tolerate tbe continued oeeupatioii of n number of dilapidated bouses and to turn a blind eve to 1 lie existence ot main- insanitary buildings. THE DAIRY POOL. The .i-omotars of the dairy pool ex,„cs- themselves entirely satisfied with the attitude of the conference held here last week towards their proposals. 1would seem, however, they are not yet quite out of the wood. Mr Milhani Facetb, a director of mm of tbe North Taranaki co-operative has telegraphed to tbe “Post” protesting that tbe delegates to tins conference we e not authorised to commit the companies to any line of action and declarin'' that there are hundreds ot farmers loins district who have not yet had n chance to discuss the scheme The promoters state in reply that the p0«...0« was fully explained to the del gat-s a . that they are now returning to then respective districts to lay the details of the scheme before their constituents. There is every reason to expect that the principle of tbe scheme will be adopted practically unanimously. 1 lumen t P«ob if it has done nothing ebe. has reconciled tbe farmers to extended co-eoevatimi, and Government assistance, so leg as it dees not hamper in■looemh lit c ontrol, is always accept" > lp to thd producers. COST OF EDUCATION. Last we"k was “Education Week m Wellington, the New Zealand Mjw.‘•mal Institute and a number of Kindred bodies bolding their animal meetings here and discussing a variety oi subjects in which their members ai© deeply interested, and tbe public oug‘ t P. be. Tbe Minister of Education found occasion during the teachers festival to deliver several addresses dilating, ill tbe main, upon tbe need lo’ dueation, more education and still more education and deploring the financial stringency that prevented him doin- all lie would like to do ill this direction. Mr Pan certainly is throwing himself very earnestly into the "<>'k ot his department and on the whole ontainiim results which are matters for congratulation. But a large section o‘ the public is beginning to look with some misgivings upon the increasing expenditure of bis Department and dou ••- iim- if tbe Dominion is getting tuß va. 1. f„F its monev. The cxnemlitu-e mcieased from fi1.838.7M( !» M)l( <> €8 2‘>4 068 in 1321, that is, nearly doubled in four years, and yet none o the reports show that tbe quality tbe education has materially improve •