WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1926, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE RECONSTIIUCTED CABINET. KITE FLYING. (Special to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, January to. Yesterday the Wellington correspondent of the “ Manawatu Times ” ventured a little further than the other kite-flyers had done and gave the names of the four members of the House of Representatives that- were to (ill tho existing and tho impending vacancies in the Cabinet. “ Although the Prime Minister has not made lus official announcement,” the correspondent boldly declared, “it is now- possible to give the names of tho new Ministers. They are the Hon F. J. Rolleston, M.P. for Tininru; the Hon •T. A. Young, M.P. for Hamilton; the 11011 0. Tin when, -M.P. for Egmont, and the Hon D. Jones, M.P. for Ellesmere.” It was a rather crude attempt in the gentle art of guessing since everyone acquainted with the wiles of the politician knows that Canterbury is not going to have throe representatives in the reconstructed Cabinet and that the East Coast of the North Island is not going to he ignored altogether. Of course the .Prime Minister made light of the story, as he would have done, in accordance with tradition, had it been strictly accurate, but be was induced to say that lie would make a definite announcement concerning the constitution of the new Cabinet on Monday or Tuesday of next week.

THE PRIME MINISTER’S WORD. But poor as the effort of the enterprising correspondent may have been it at least did tlic country some service in reminding Mr Coates of his obligations to the country. “So far,” it says by way of amplifying the position, “it is not possible to say liow the portfolios will bo distributed, but one thing is now certain—and it will cause general disappointment—all the present members of the Cabinet will retain their portfolios. Tt was hoped that the Prime Minister would stand his ground with all tho strength of character that lias been attributed to him and make a clean sweep of his ineffective;-!. But this is not to he.” Tn iiis own renunciation of tho correspondent's predictions there is nothing to justify the assumption that the Prime Minister intends to turn his hack upon all tho fair promises he made to the electors when he was seeking their votes, and it is to he hoped that when the constitution of the new Cabinet is authoritatively announced next week it will accord with his

pledges to the constituencies. It is a fact, however, that the public, particularly the business comm,unity, is feeling a good deal of uneasiness in this respect and that a definite assurance on the subject would he warmly welcomed. THE TIMBER INDUSTRY. Some of tlie increasing troubles of the New Zealand sawmillres were recounted to a representative of tho “Dominion” yesterday, but the recital did not nearly cover the whole of the troubles that are besetting one of the

most important industries of the Dominion. Largely increased cost of production. growing competition from over-seas and the indifference of the Government to their troubles, so the sawmilTers themselves say, are hastening them towards a very precarious position in which the industry could barely survive. These complaints are diming from all parts of the country, the mijlcrs in Southland being in as bad a case as those in North Auckland, and so far the Government is affording them 110 relief and little hope. The idea, that New Zealand millers are protected by the higher freights from Northern Europe and North America has been exploded, the freights from Greymouth to 'Wellington being practically the same as those from tho distant foreign ports to the same destination. Protection from the invasion from abroad through the Customs tariff seems the only hope of salvation left to the local millers. Without this, they declare, tliev must go to tho wall.

THE MINISTER AND THE REPORTER. .Several weeks ago the Hon W. Nosworthy, tlie Minister of Agriculture, heatedly repudiated some remarks attributed to him in the newspaper reports of a piece he spoke -at a meeting , between the Prime Minister and a body of Taranaki dairy farmers, 'flic re- ’ ports stated in effect, that Mr Noswortliy had said that be never bad intended absolute control of the shipment and marketing of dairy produce to come into effect until circumstances arose making tin's step necessary, and that it might lie better to Jet it stand over for a while. The Minister’s repudiation of these reports reflected either upon tlie ability of the reporters or upon the integrity of the papers and steps were taken to test the justice of (lie Minister’s comments, Tt now has been shewn that Mr Nosworthy used words entirely in accord with tlie tenor of the reports and the proof of this is being submitted to the Minister in the expectation that he will withdraw the aspersions he has cast upon the reporters and their employers.