WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1926, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

VACANT AUCKLAND SEAT. SYMPATHY FOR MISS MELVILLE. (Special to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON. .March 12. The filling of the Eden seat in the House of Representatives shortly to lie vacated by Sir James Parr, in order that he may introduce some of his initiative and vigour into the High Commissioner’s Office, rests with the electors of the constituency. Sir .1 n:— ftunson. who has been coquetting with national politics for many years, and in 1010 actually took part in the four-cornered contest for the Roskill seat, has been given the imprimatur of the Belorm Organisation and the blessing of the Prime Minister. ami Air H. G. Mason, who contested the seat against Sir James Parr in 1922. and again in 1925 has received tfie Labour nomination There is. however, a widespread feeling in Wellington, where the political view, perhaps, is a little broader than it is in any other centre of tin Dominion, that .Miss E. Melville, who pul up a very gallant fight against the sitting member. Mr 11.I 1 . N. Bartram. in Grey Lynn last November and was prepared to take the field in Eden, has been badly treated by her political party. More than this, it is being predicted by people who recently have Imd opportunities to feel the political pulse of the “ Queen City ’’ that Sir James Gttnson’s chances ot (lection to the vacant seat are not nearly so rosy as those of Miss Melville with flie Government backing would have been. But the Government ol course is in a position to take risks. THE AVERT LAND SEAT.

The judicial proceedings in connection with the Westland seat did not amuse a great deal of interest here, the Government's big majority making it of little consequence, in the view of most people, which way the decision went. Among his wide circle of personal friends Mr Seddon’s confirmation in the scat was heartily welcomed, hut had Air O’Brien been successful the members of his party would have found equal ground for congratulation. As a matter ol fact tiic late member by his frank, unassuming. his assiduous application to work and his ability to see both sides of a quest ion. had made good in the House and had earned the personal regard of many of his political opponents. Air Redden will come hack to the House with a new and enlarged opportunity. Though the career of the younger Pitt may he quoted to the contrary, it is not good for a young man to enter Parliament at twenty-one. A'outh is counted as a reproach in the counsels of the nation. But Air Seddon Is now over forty, with all his political experience behind him. The country will look on with interest at the development of his opportunity. One of his distinguished father’s closest friends observed today that his greatest need was n rougher tongue to assist him in making political enemies.

RECONSTRUCTING THE M INI'STRV The local papers are busy with the reconstruction of the Ministry. H is the big gooseberry season in local journalism, between Christmas time and Faster-!ide, and the intentions of the Premier are a faithful source of specula! inn. Sir Francis 801 l and Sir James will lie laying down their portfolios in the course of the next day or two and a doy.cn eager aspirants and as maiiv faithful followers ol the party’s fortunes are being placed in the line of succession. It is semiofficially aoiioiineed, however, that no additional appointments will lie made until after the end of the financial year, a fortnight hence, when the lion A\ . Nosworthy "ill Land over the portfolio of Finance. to the |{on Dnwnie Stewart, preparatory, so it is

-aid. to divesting hiniM'll of his other Cabinet enctmibr.'inees. and resume the role id a private member. This part of the story, however, must be accepted with some reservation, since the member lor Ashburton is not Ihe man to he easily deposed and in many respects is one of the host informed of the occupants of the Treasury Benches. Whether Mr Hockley will lie selected for the Ghnirimmship of Committees or for a seal in the Cahinet is still a moot point, hut it seems fairly certain that if the member for Rotorua has aspirations in either direction they will he gratified. The gossips have ceased removing Mr fitatham from the Speakership. RITTER. The two parlies to the dairy produce controversy continue to air their respective propaganda and to exchange their mutual recriminations through the newspapers. The Free .Marketing l.eagiie lias been eonli u ig its operations mainly to the Tarim lei and .Maiiawatu districts, where it ap pairs to have made very substantia! progress, while the Absolute Controllers have east all their burdens upon -Mr William Grounds, the chairman of the Dairy Hoard, who proclaims that tiie members of the Hoard are going io stick to their seats and to their policy of compulsion whatever the producers and their representatives may say to the contrary. In view of the fact that the legislation on Ihe Statute Rook clothes the hoard with absolute authority, it is not easy to think of any means by which, .Mr Grounds and his colleagues could he turned from their way. Hut the Prime -Minister on the other hand, having made it quite plain that be does not favour the hoard proceeding to full compulsion before it, has proved itself fully representative of a majority of the producers the hoard may consider il priidnent to stay its hand. It looks as if that, in the circumstances, would ho the more prudent course. -Meanwhile it is understood that the Free Marketing l.eague, haring taken professional advice on the subject, is prepared to submit the question of compulsion to the highest judicial tribunal in the Empire.