WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1922, Page 1

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THOSE REVELATIONS.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

SPECIAL TO GUARDIAN. WELLINGTON, July 20. Now that the lobbies have discussed and rediscussed .Mr Holland’s “revelations” from every viewpoint, they have begun to make up tlieit mind that there was nothing, after all, very novel or very dreadful in the Liberal-Labour “flirtation.” Assuming that everything alleged against Mr Wilfnrd and Mr Holland is true, there still is nothing in the whole matter to convict either of these gentlemen of any grave impropriety. It is not the first time, by a very long way, that the diverse elements in an Opposition have discussed together the feasibility of joining forces for the purpose of ejecting Iho Government. Half a donen Imp-

pollings nf the kind in this country during the last fifty years could he easily called to mind, one of them, at any rate, well within the recollection of the present generation, hut the less chivalrous of Mr Massey’s followers have striven steadfastly to convey to the public mind an impression that Mr Wilford and Mr Holland have been engaged in a particular heinous form of political villainy, and that they and their parties should he finally consigned to the outer darkness of public execration.

MOTORS AND RAILWAYS. The Minister of Railways told the House of Representatives on Wednesday night that the Government hoped to he able to announce before very long that it had decided upon measures to protect the railways from the stress of competition with motor traffic. Meanwhile he expressed regret that some people were apt to forget that the railways were their own property, and for the sake of a “mere shilling or a sixpence” would travel hv the competing motor cars. It is satisfactory to learn that the Government is about to make an announcement on this subject, but it is to be hoped that its remedy for the existing state of affairs will he something more tangible than an appeal to the patriotism of tin* longsuffering public. Even the “Dominion” warns Mr Guthrie that the public will patronise the conveyance that suits them Iwst without any regard to the suggestion of proprietorship. The motor cars have got a very long start in various parts of this Island, and there are a number of schemes on foot for adding to their activities. .Ml! WRIGHT’S COMPLAINT.

The wearisome debate on the Ad-dress-in-Replv still drags on. with the responsibility for its prolongation about, equally divided between the parties. The end of the flow of talk will be reached this evening, if the Government will it that way, and then the serious business of the session will begin. Speaking generally, the debate has been oonuneiidably free from the asperities of party conflict, hut apparently the restraint of the Opposition in this respect has been an olfence in the eves of Mr R. A. Wright. Yesterday afternoon the lugubrious member for Wellington, who, like the proverbial Scotchman, jokes with difficulty, affected to he disappointed and hurt by the mildness of the attack from the other side of the House, lie remembered the days when Mr Massey, with only twenty-seven supporters “made a very good showing” against the overwhelming forces of the Liberal Government, and lie was moved almost to tears by the decadence of His .Majesty’s Opposition. “The present Opposition dot's not fight like the Opposition of former times,” was the burden of his complaint, and lie suspected no pointed humour when a subdued “Hear, hear" tame from the other side of the House. SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Whatever his intentions with regard to tin' approaching election are, Sir Joseph Ward is keeping them to himself very closely. A week or two ago lie and Lady Ward paid a visit to friends in Marlborough, and forthwith it was bruited about that he hail made up his mind to contest the Wair.au sent with the approval and approbation of the sitting member, his personal friend Mr R. McCallnm. Now lie has gone South on matters of business and social concern and ho is credited with casting a covetous eye on his old constituency. The truth is that Sir Joseph has had a number of invitations to offer himself as a candidate at the impending appeal to the constituencies, and is by no means reluctant to re-enter tho political arena, but lie wants, first of all. to have some indication of the wishes of his former associates in the fray, and then to make sure of not trespassing upon the preserves of any other aspirant for Parliamentary honours. When satisfied on these points lie will not delay in announcing his intentions.