WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1927, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

VNOTHER NEW PARTY BIRTH IN AUCKLAND

(Special to " Guardian

WELLINGTON, Aug. 22. So far the announcement of tho birth ji' another political party in Auckland uis aroused little interest in A\ ellinguin. It. has been mentioned in the lobbies of the Idolise, more often humnirouslv than seriously, and has filled i column or two in the local papers; but beyond these casual recognitions it bus attracted little really interested attention. This probably is due to the fact that the capital city, satiated as it is by parties and politicians, takes loss interest in such happenings than do the other large centres of population in tho Dominion. But even Wellington has begun to realise, in its languid sort of way, that the performances of the Coates Government bavo fallen very lar short oi its promises and its opportunities. Koforiu’s overwhelming victory at the polls in 1925 was largely the nation’s tribute Ui Ml' Massey and his achievements, and it is fairly obvious that it is not going to he repeated in like measure next year. Whether the party will conic back again with a largely reduced majority or will he driven to the other

ride oi' the House depends upon tlie solidarity ami quality of tile opposition it meets at the poi’ls. DIVIDED HOUSES. Tiiat the present Government will poll only a minority of the votes recorded is certain. When it secured its huge majority two years ago it had many fewer than half the votes cast, some 100.01)0 fewer indeed. If Labour and Liberalism and Independence elect to play the same game again Reform’s majority still will lie reduced, hut it will not be extinguished. To show that the Government’s very shrewd election agents understand this aspect of the question it is necessary only to quote the comment upon Mr McCombs’s Preferential Voting Bill. ‘‘Lost by Tl to L>o,” the focal organ of Reform exclaimed. “ What else could have been expected for the Preferential \ oting Bill? Its advocates put forward a thousand recommendations. All of them were unavailing beside the one fatal discredit. The measure has been tried and found wanting, condemned even by whilom enthusiastic supporters. To debate such a measure in the Parliament was clearly a waste of time. Foredoomed to failure it perished. Some names among the ‘ Noes ’ may cause a gust of passing wonder.” The gust of passing wonder was for the courage of the Hon. F. J. Ilollcston and the Hon. J. A. Young in voting for majority rule.

XKAY ZEALAND CIUCKETERS. An old New Zealand cricketer, now resident in London, writing' to ;i friend in "Wellington conveys a very high tribute to the members ot the New Zealand cricket team now touring England. " .Much to my regret,” he says. ! have not yet seen any of the games your lads have played ; but I have shaken hands with the lads and have met many old players who have been more fortunate, and they are unanimous in applauding the gentlemanly behaviour of your representatives and their line sportsmanship. A friend of mine sent me a eopv 01 one of your papers giving the outline of an address by .Sir Francis Bel! to your hoys when they were leaving Wellington, and f am sure Sir Erancis would rejoice with me at the whole-hearted manner ill which the youngsters—for they do look youngsters in our eyes—have interpreted lii.s ‘ benediction.’ They have shown themselves genti'emen, every one of them on the field. I. am told, and that after all is the beginning and the end of the best of good English games.” The writer, not having seen the New Zealanders on the held, offers no comment on their play, but promises to do so lat-er on. PAYMENT fIY RESULTS, ft is stated hero, with some appearance of ministerial inspiration, that a Bill is in preparation for the amendment of the Industrial and Conciliation and Act Arbitration Act. which aims at making almost revolutionary changes in the labour laws. There’are grounds for believing, the story runs, that the Uii'i will provide for “ a change in the constitution of the Arbitration Court, ami for payment by result, and on the piecework principle, with a fixed minimum weekly wage based on the amount which the average worker in the industry concerned might earn under the piecework system. It is said that if the Bill contains a clause providing for payments by result and the fixing of tiie minimum wage in the manner suggested. it will meet with tlio approval of the Labour Opposition in the House.” The constitution of the Arbitration Court, it is implied, is to he very materially changed by tlio substitution of three judges of the Supreme Court for the present judge and two assessors, and its powers aro to he widely extended. Preference to unionists will lie retained on the Statute Book, but its exercise will rest rather with the parties concerned than with the Court. No authoritative opinion in regard to the measure lias yet been pronounced by either workers or employers.