WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1924, Page 4

WELLINGTON NOTES.

THE PRIME MINISTER RETURNS

A CORDIAL WELCOME

[Special To The Guardian.]

WELLINGTON, Jan. 25

The ■■'Dominion” this morning extends a welcome to Mr Massey on his return from the Imperial t.onlercnce which will bo cordially endorsed by the great majority of the people of tins country, whatever may be their differences of opinion on party and political questions. “A general and hearty welcome will be extended to the Prime Minister,” the morning journal says, “on his return from an Imperial mission in which he was able to render useful service to his own country and the Empire. On account chiefly of political changes in Great Britain, it is impossible meantime to say how much of the work done by the last Empire Conferences will stand. There is no doubt, however, that New Zealand was well and capable represented at these gatherings.” In public life Mr Massey has his political opponents ns well as his political friends, but in private life many of bis political opponents are lus close personal friends and the warmest admirers of his abounding optimism and bis spacious patriotism. Hie Prime Minister's personal populaiit.v, indeed, is the mainstay of bis depleted party in these difficult days and otciyone 'realises that it lias been fairly won and tactfully held. To-dav, at any rate Tie lias no enemies in Wellington. -THE RIGHT NOTE.” The -1 li'iniuion.” however, riilhoi

over steps the line of discretion when it proceeds to enlarge the basis of iis welcome and its congratulations. "111 his Conference speeches and in other publie utterances in Great Britain.’ it add "Mr M:is-ey struck Hie right note, ami one that accurately reflects New Zealand opinion. He lost no opportunity of emphasising the natural ailvaiitaecs of co-operation between the 8n,t0,, of the Empire, foil was careful t,, . t v,,i(i the error of making demands upon the -Mother Country.” This at 0n,,, suggest.-, debatable ground which Mr Massey traversed during bis journey through Canada and which he indicated in his speech at Auklaml yesterday. He admitted that, “like many others not. actually resident in Great Britain, he had taken a tremendous interest m the issues that were placed before the British public at the recent general election, but he claimed that he never had favoured the cause of any particular candidate. But his allaek upon U'e ■Manchester Guardian,” in which he charges one of the most independent ami capable exponents of publie opinion ill the Home Country with being ■■churlish” and no friend to Hie “cause of Empire,” suggests that his ti'eliieml ml, interest in t lie elections may have run nwav occasionally with his ilmi lotion. DAYLIGHT SAYING. The friends of the daylight saving movement, of which Mr T. E. Sidey. the member for Dunedin South. Ims been such an earnest and eloquent, advocate, are hoping that Mr Massey s observations while at Home may ha\e induced him to take a still more toieiant view of the rclonn than ho did wlmn last it was mentioned in the House of Representatives. The New Zealand Sports Protection League is again setting its forces in action ami at its board el control meeting tliis week adopted ilie following resolution:

•■The Beard of Control is of opinion that the inauguration ol a system providing for daylight saving is desirable in the interests of the community, and invites sports bodies, mgani linois, and persons favourably to this retorm to co-eperal e with the New Zealand Sports Rrotceiion League for the pur-

pose of securing the passing af the lie ces-arv legislation during the next se.v s.ioii of Rarliument.” I lie Sport Pro lection League always lias, liven whole hearted in its advocacy of the letolin and b’.f‘••v-s people arc l eg":!"::y U look upo!! tin real:angenitiU of " oik

iae hours more favourably than they did a few years ago, hui many of the country people still are suspicious of any meddling with the clock and it is fur the I’rime Minister to bring them to

a proper understanding ol the scheme. THE r.OXDOX MONEY MARKET. ft has been the general expectation here that oil his return from Home Mr Massey would announce the early Motation of a considerable loan which would make the Dominion contented and happy for many a long day. It was understood from a cable published here at ihe time that the Prime Minister had postponed his deparlure Iron) London till alter the general election because while the fate of the Government was hanging in the balance it was impossible to get the attention of the brokers to the financial needs of the outlying portions ol (lie Empire. Rut it seems now that this was not the reason for the prolongation ol the Minister’s stay at. all. "The lime is not favourable for raising loans on the London market,” lie said in answer to a question put to him in Auckland yesterday. ‘’ln any case, it is not necessary for New Zealand to raise money at present. There is lio use rushing a market that is already over-loaded. When the time comes: New Zealand will get what money it requires:, and will get it on the best terms.” This, of course, is entirely satisfactory. The Dominian does not want money just now and Mr Massey is assured that when if does the market will treat it kindly.