WELLINGTON NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1925, Page 4

WELLINGTON NOTES

THE ALL 13LACKS’ HOME COMING

(Special to “Guardi-Ji”.)

WELLINGTON, March 19.

Wellington bore itself well in the welcome it offered x to the All Blacks, on behalf of the whole Dominion, on Tuesday. Its expression of pleasure at seeing the victorious footballers home again, safe and sound, was spontaneous, hearty and appropriate for the occasion. Its cheering was thin and scattered, and a little unmelodious at times, as New Zealand cheering is wont to he, but behind it were crowds of broad smiling faces and a measure of cordiality that was plain for the heroes of the day and everyone else to see. The Government's luncheon to the team was not too formal nor too pretentious and the guests were speedily put at their ease by the ready good fellowship of their hosts. The

footballers quite held their own with the politicians ns speakers and were not far behind them in the serious business of the hour, which is equivalent to saying that both football and talking are conducive towards robust appetites. Perhaps there was on the part of the speakers a disposition to make more of the victory than of the game; but if this were so others made amends by their warm tributes to the Old Country’s sportsmanship and hospitality. It was a memorable day, suitable inscribed.

THE PRIME .MINISTER’S GREETINGS.

To the surprise of most of the guests Mr Massev, still looking the invalid, l n ,t bearing his part in the festivities with some of his accustomed bonhomie was present at the luncheon and made a little speech which the boys appreciated immensely. The truth is that the Prime Minister had set his heart on this gathering, and though his medical* advisers may not have cordially approved of the excursion into boisterous society, they had the good sense to let the wilful man have his way. It is reassuring to learn to-day that Hie patient is none the worse for his adventure and that he is talking of looking into his office in a day or two. His (lose personal friends, however, are insisting upon the promised holiday and it is not unlikely that he will take a run to the Islands in a few weeks’ time under strict injunctions to keep clear of social and political worries. The Australian trip is definitely off, and the Island trip is not actually on; hilt Mr Massey himself recognises it is only by taking reasonable care of himself he can hope to he ol some lurcher service to his party and the countrv. DAIRY HOARD FINANCE. There is much talk in commercial and financial circles here concerning the statements iterated and reiterated l,v Mr Grounds, the Chairman of the Hairy Control Hoard, to the effect that when absolute control is brought into operation, and the merchants and the shippers at this end disappear from the local business, the London merchants will he quite prepared, even eager, to provide the necessary finance to carry on the industry. Could the local merchants and shippers accept this assurance, they would he comparatively happy; hut when Mr Grounds was challenged at Palmerston North to make his words good, he could only reiterate his former assertion. Several of the business houses kero have been nursing dairy tanners in one way or another, enabling them Hi 'fet a start in the industry, while sonic „f them, have found money the erection of factories and for the financing of suppliers. Though they arc honing for the best they cannot credit that Tooley Street will take over the'r debtors’ liabilities and provide them with such further funds as Hu;\ may require. If Mr Grounds would make a definite statement on this subject, satisfying to both creditors and debtors, lie would find his task ol establishing “ absolute control " beset |, v lower iliiliciilties than if appears to be at the nrosent time. POLITICS AND SPORT.

The lion. R. !'. Bollard, the Minister of Internal Affairs, who returned from, the North to-day, professes to be quite unperturbed by the criticism that has been levelled against his distribution of the new totalisator permits. Whether Parliament or the Racing Conference is the tribunal which should determine how totalisator permits shall he distributed is, he maintains, a matter for Parliament to decide. At present the responsibility rests upon the Government, and, though he would he very glad indeed to he relieved of the burden himself, he could not recommend his colleagues Lo transler it to the Racing Conference. The Conference is a very capable and useful body, for the most, part admirably run, he admitted, hut the fact that it is 10sponsible to no constituency that can he regarded in any way representative of the public makes it impossible as an authority for the administration of the Gaming Act. His policy had been to treat racing as a sport intended for the whole of the people, and one that Vl as really usotul 111 building up the nation, and this being the ease he could not help associating it in some ivav with the use of the totalisator.