WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1926, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

NOXIOUS WEEDS. THE FARMERS’ JOB. (Special to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, Mureli 10. Apparently tlio lion O. Hawken’s discovery Unit the eradication of noxious weeds in this country is the I a rulers’ job is the first fruits of the Hon W. Bomber Reeves's reiterated appeal to the community lo tree itsell from the most costly of all its pests. It may he taken for granted. however, that Mr Beeves had no intention to soonest to the Government that it should shift its responsiblitios in this respect on to the shoulders ot the occupiers of the land. He knows his Xew Zealand lar too well to countenance a proposal ol that kind. But he Inis returned to Xew Zealand alter an absence of thirty years to find hone areas falling into disuse through the ravages of noxious weeds and he has pointed frankly to the inevitable results of continued neglect. Hm ister id' Agriculture has seized the op-

portunity. very properly of course, to remind the farmers of their duty. Bui li e M mister must know as well as everyone else does that the ehiel offenders are the successive Governments that have allowed thousands ol acres of Crown lands to lull into the (Trip of weeds and vermin and to become a peril to the whole ol the surrounding country. 1 Jitil the Government does its duty appeals In the farmers will he futile. THE BKI-'OBM SLOGAN.

There is a growing feeling among business men and political economists in the capital city that the Reform slogan, less Government in business aiul more business in Government, i-

over-due for some practical expression. The dairy produce controversy concerning “ absolute control ” continues lo hold pride of place in commercial circles, hut it is by no means the only subject of the kind discussed at the street corners. In addition there are meat control, fruit control, egg control. honey control, wheat control, and half a dozen other controls, either on the Statute Boole or making their way in that direction. Then there is the the continuance of war legislation which gives the Government intimate authority over individuals and linns and companies which should have been surrendered, as similar legislation in other parts of the Empire was, within a year or two of the establishment of peace. Business men have been

grumbling over this state of affairs for a long time past—though they, as a matter of fact, suffer less from the irritating restrictions than do the

average consumer and the average worker—and now there is talk of a monster deputation to the Prime ALini.stor with a request that he will take, his coat off, and purge business from some of the Government interference by which it is afflicted. THE EDEN SEAT.

Wellington’s interest in the contest for the Eden seal to lie vacated by Sir James Parr is being fanned by such interesting reading as the report of the interview between .Miss Melville and the ladies of the constituency. who object to a member of their sex taking part in the fray, which appeared in the newspapers this morning. Local feeling seems to he strongly in favour of Miss .Melville, who is pictured as a very accomplished voting person who already has led several forlorn hopes in the interests of the Reform Party and has acquitted herself fairly well. I' rom the reports it may lie judged that Miss .Melville was not very chivalrously treated by the ladies concerned for the candidature of Sir James Gunsmi and this in itself has gained her additional sym.’iathy. which at this distance obviously counts for little. .Miss .Melville's promise to tell the public something about the inside of polities has not aroused a great deal o| interest here. Wellington know- more about the inside of polities than do most other centres of population within the Dominion and it is not thrilled by stories of bow tlie partv whip is employed either in the hand of this party or thill. The Government just having lost tin' Lyttelton sent does not want to lose another, hut on a count of heads it still has a margin sufficient to enable it to look towards Eden with

a measure of i'<{Hitni!iiiLy. CABINET aIAKIN'C. Tin- process of Cabinet cmMmetion liii.s dragged on so long thal the public lias ceased to display any groat interest in its impending completion. The Prime .Minister continues to keen his own counsel and it is stated, on what appears to lie very good authority, that Ill's sponsor and guide. Sir Francis Hell, left the Dominion the other day on his visit to the Old Country without knowing whom his protege- intended to exalt or to depose. It is being as. i sinned that when the Hon YV. ,Xo«worlhy hands over the portfolio of Kina nee to the lion Downie Stewart at the end of the present mourn lie will also surrender his other associations with the Cabinet. There is, however, no official authority for saving this will he the ease. Another assumption is that the Mon 0. J. Anderson, the .Minister of .Marine and Labour. and -Mr I!. K. Bollard, the .Minister of Internal Affairs, will make room for younger men. hut as both these Ministers are among the hard working members of the team it could not he said they were retired on account of t'heir As regards the Ministers elect It is realised that one of Mr Coates’s greatest difficulties is to find a capable leader of the Legislative Council, and to secure a suitable successor of Sir Francis Bell lie may have to look beyond the present “ peers.” |