WELLINGTON NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1925, Page 4

WELLINGTON NOTES

POLITICAL RUMOURS,

(Special to “Guardi".n”.) WELLINGTON, Afareh 25. With the approach of the final session of the present Parliament the air is lull 'ill' political rumours, and some of them are of rather a sensational nature. Statements made in connection with the opening of the big “Talk- ” having hecn postponed rrom April until June are varied in their nature, and centre around the prolonged illness of the lion. W. F. Massey, the Prime Minister. This was said to he <o unsatisfactory in the early part of the \ear. that his henchman, the Mon 'Dotv'nie Stewart was sent to

America in order to give specialists there an opportunity of patching him up from his war disabilities sufficiently to allow of his anting as leader of the House during the session. As the time approaches those who have had an opiiorlunity of seeing the Prime Minister nersonuily regretfully express the opinion that there is little possibility of his being able to stand the strain of such a strenuous session as this is likely to he. and it is not yet certain that Mr Stewart will he sufficiently recovered to act as his deputy. As it is fjiiite out of the question for the lion. Sir Francis Hell, who is at present uiling the role, to lead the House, this would place the Reform Party in a verv awkward position. It is lreely rumoured that while some mciubeis of the Cabinet are of the opinion that under the circumstances Mr Masey should he allowed to retire from the Premiership, the majority consider that every

effort should he made to keen him in the position until he has beaten the record of the late Mr K.eddon, which he would do if he succeeded in seeing the present Parliament out at the conclusion of the coining session. It is understood that at least three members of the present Cabinet would lit' prepared to step 1 ui.o Lite broach, hut it is j unlikely that an opportunity will ho afforded them of doing so ii it can possibly l:o avoided. Further developments will he awaited with interest. Tills INVERCARGILL SKAT. It is now stated upon what appears to he the test authority that Sir Joseph Ward will succumb to the pressure brought upon him to woo the electors of Invercargill, in the place id' the I foil J. Hanan, who has represented that

centre lor the past 25 years, hut who will now retire, and if he consents there can he very little doubt of the results, and his re-entry into politics would lie a distinct advantage to thu Liberal Party. HOLDING A UK FORM SKAT.

Although soon alter the hist election the lion Sir Heaton Rhodes, the present Minister lor Defence, announced ids intention of not standing again for

Ellesmere on account of the state ol his health, lie has been so consistently pestered hv his party to stand again that on being interviewed recently as to liis intentions in the matter lie declined to reveal them at the present time. It is a matter of history that

at the November Flow in 11)23. -Mr David Jones, who had been easting longing eyes on this seat, alter a meeting of friends allowed the announcement to he made that he had “ consented ” to stand for Files mere in the event of Kir i loaf on pulling out. IL is now understood that the Relorm organisers have so little c uhdeiiie in his power to win the seat that ! hoy are bringing nro-'.-uiv in la ar on the present member to stand again, and I nor? are indications that he will do so on the understanding that he is relieved from. .Ministerial responsibility. THK lIAI.AXCK OF ROWER. Tim Reform Party’s nosilion in Par linmeyt is a very precarious one, as anything may happen during (lie coining session to upset ilic balance o! power, which is only hold by the Reformers on su lie ranee. There is a ni-lii.-nr lhai one of i lie J ndepcudcii!

whose cole lor j lie jhi st couple o| year has alwavs been given to keen the Be formers in office, may not seek re-elef Lien, his removal to “ another place

as a reward being quite on the cards. As Mr Isitt does not intend to seek re-election. tla- Government will lose another vote ivliii Ii on many critical divisions has been cast in its favour. WELLINGTON'S WOOL SALE. It was anticipated that there would have been about 26,01)6 bales available for this week's wool sale at Wellington but the iniantity actually offered lulls far short of that. The drop in values has tempted quite a number of growers to withdraw their wools from sale altogether. and this wool will he consigned to London for Mile. it. is c!i Hi fit 11 to so.- what iho' advantages are from tiijs course of action ; London prices are no better relatively than X.Z. prices, it must not he overlooked that all but about 3 per cent of the wool production of New Zealand i< crossbred, I bat is wool ranging in quality

from . to NTs, the production of C.q’ri lo Pi’s or merino wool, being as stated above, just about 3 per cent. The reports from London indicate that the low level for merino wool has been reached and there is now a tendency for prices to firm, while crossbred wools

are irregular. It is stated that there is evidence that the great preferential call for cheaper grades during the past year will be less acute now that fine grades have declined materially. It is certain that the demand will always favour Vine wools where values are reasonable. The position of crossbred is not quite so sound, and although the market has been erratic there will continue to he oxpori'eiKod a demand for this wool I localise if is now relatively verv cheap, and i heap clothing is the need of the hour in Central and Eastern Europe.