WELLINGTON NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 18 April 1923, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES

RELIGION AND POLITICS. ECHOES OF TAURAXGA. [SrKci.u, To The C carman.] WELLINGTON. April Hi. Though Mr Massey’s statement concerning the activities—or inactivities—• of the R.R.A. during the Tauranga election contest, may not entirely dispose of the stories that were told at the time of the tactics employed by Air Howard Elliott ami hi.- allies, it must be accepted as a complete disavowal of any sympathy with the introduction of sectarianism into polities. The I’rime .Minister is fpiite explicit upon this point and there is no need to question his candour. But the I'ael remains that sectarianism lias been playing a very a<-livo part in politics during the Li-t few years and that its promoters are openly boa-ting of the success they have achieved. That they are disposed to exaggerate the magnitude of their achievements, however, is easily conceivable. A good Liberal Hio has been tliioiigh the Tauranga district since the by-elociion stated this morning that Sir Joseph Ward’s defeat was due, not to any inllueiioc exercised hy the R.R.A. hut to ihe fact that t-lie rural electors of Die constituency, long isolated from the public life of the Dominion, were utterly incapable of understanding the message Sir Joseph had to deliver. This is not flattering to the rural electors, but it may lie true. THE STAFF OF LIFE.

The "Evening Rost,” as becomes a city journal devoted to the interests of the town-dwellers, is very angry with the lion Mr No-worthy, the Afinister Dr Agriculture, fm having, capitulated, as it says, lie In re the owdaught of the wheat-grower-' and the millers. By placing an embargo upon the importation of wheat, ii declares, (he Minister has permitted the interests of the lew to over-ride the interests of the many. "For the consumer.” it laments, "there is the poor satisfaction tha! he will he paying 25 per cent more for bread in New Zealand than is doing paid in hungry Brilaiu, and in Australia, where wheal is supplied to ihe millers at 5s (id per bushel, practically the same price a- is paid to the New Zealand farmer; that lie will pay 25 per cent more for another year: ihat the embargo will make flour-milling still more profitable ; and that there is nothing to prevent the creation of an artificial; shortage by exporting wheat and lloiitund oli'als.” It has to be said for Mr No-worthy that a year or two ago, as a staunch free-trader, he saw grave objections to the arbitrary regulation

of prices. Since then, apparently circumstances have been too much for him. MR MASSET AND THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. The Prime .Minister returned lo town last week from a series of social and official functions in the country districts in bettoi health and spirit- than he has been at any Hint; since tile general election. At' Levin he compared Die length of his Parliamentary and Ministerial services with I hose ol Mr Sodden and indicated more eoiilldeuce l ban he proh-dily felt two or three mouths ago ol equalling the great Liberal'- line reeunl. He inis lo retain office only for the natural life i >i ihc pri'M.'iit t’nrlinnunit lo achieve tlii- distinction. Tin’s, of course, is taking bis term "I service as head "I tin- National ( abinci info li'tjillll lie al.-o talked at Levin upon the piospeel ol Ids attending I lie Imperial Cniilerciioo this year. Ile had received a very pressing invilnlioii from the Imperial Government and he would fool ii hidnl v i o aei r|>L ihc invitation if ii " ere I oil 11 . I lie I • 111 id be spared ll'oiil Ihe Dominion lor l I ime. Whoi her lie ran he -paled or not will depend up..u tlie alliuule of tl.e Libera! Uppn--itioii. Il Mr Will' id and his followers agree lo call a truce ill order Dial the lb ime Mini-ler may get away, the trip "ill be ea-ily ai ranged.

THE GAM ARE ELECTION. it i- announced to-day that the Prime Mini-ler will -peak at Palmerston 8,11)1 (i in-mnnw night in support of i lie i atididal lire of Ihe I 101 lE. I’. Lee for tlm vacant Oaniani seat. Il Mr .Mas-ey should set the hall rolling in thi- fashion probably there will lie an 1 1Jiux of speaker- from both -ideand a repetition of the lively lime experienced during .Dm Tauranga cuii-lc-t. Mr .1. A. Maepla'i'.-oii. the Liberal candidale, ha- oxpr.-sed a desire to lie left to again "in Ihe seal "oil his own bat." and Lis 1 1‘i-iid - Imre 'nave no JoiiLl "| Ins ability lo do -i. But 1 hoy -ay thei if Ministers arc going to make a personal appeal in i !m ,4, elors, with ihe same stories about a dissolution ami -o forih as thev did in Tauranga, il v, ill lie desirable for the Liberal leaders to assist Mi M.ae|ihei'so,i in replying to i heir "nnsiioriiiig methods ol att;,ek." It remain- to l-e .seen what Mr Me...,",- and his colleagues will do in Die matter. Tlm Prime Minister may have a score ol excuse-, apart from Die ideetioii. for g'ling to Palmerston :-'oeth. but pro's.hly Mr Lee would not regard Ids ridel's appearance on the cue as tire highest compliment that might I.e paid him.