WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 January 1928, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

LICENSING POLL. LABOUR’S DEMAND. (Special to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, Dec. 31. As far as can he gathered by a cursory inquiry neither official Prohibition nor official Continuance is well disposed towards tbe Labour Party’s proposal for the application of preferential voting to the licensing poll. Official Prohibition is still peisuading itself that its salvation lies in obtaining tlic two issue ballot paper, and official Continuance persists in believing that

its safety depends upon retaining the three issues. That both are wrong is the opinion of an unbiased outsider who has analysed the pasitiop closely and accepted the facts. He insists that the votes now cast Control

arc principally the votes of friends or Continuance, who, knowing that their votes in any case will be counted against Prohibition, believe, doubtless with good reason, that the very existence of a. third issue diverts a certain number of votes from Prohibition. From these assumptions he argues that if the third issue were eliminated from the ballot paper not more than 25 per cent of the State Control voters would turn to No-License and the other 75 per cent, would throw in their lot with Continuance, which already has both their moral and material support. THE PORK SUBSIDY.

It is in the air that those pig breeders and pork exporters who are rejoicing over the Government's thirty thousand Christmas subsidy may find that they are counting their chickens a little in advance of the necessary process of incubation The officers of the Dopartent of Agriculture, owing to holidays, have not yet got down to the Preparation of the conditions attached to the Government's very handsome gift, hut the 51 mister in charge of the Department has stated plainly enough that certain weights and high quality will lie insisted upon and that fir the purpose of the proposed bounty a pig must ho something more than a mere pig. Pigs entireIv suitable for borne consumption and for the London market already arc in brisk demand at gord prices, and it is not unlikely that after these have been picked up by regular buyers difficulties in regard to the balance may arise. It is certain that a large proportion of the pigs raised in the Dominion under existing conditions could rank only ns ‘•choppers’’ in London, ami the Minister has implied broadly that animals of this de.xvription are not to lie subsidized. In these circumstances it may he well to suspend further jubilation over Ibis matter until the official regulations are available.

PIUGLITER TIMES DAWNING. But. whatever may become of Labour's attempt to improve the licensing laws of the country or of the Prime Minister’s efforts to enhance the earnings of the dairy farmers, Wellington in the months to come will be able to look hack with warm satisfaction to this Christmas and New Year season. The spirit of optimism lias animated the capital city the whole week through and probably never before have its people entered so heartily as they hate this year into the enjoyment of the

dual festival -Mr Coates from his own home in the North, following the example of his predecessors in office, distributed throughout the country a message of good cheer, which would have done no discredit to an older statesman, and at the same time was characteristic of a young one. Brighter times arc dawning, ol course, and it is good policy as well as good citizenship to announce them on such an occasion as this. The newspapers strike, a note in harmony with the temper of the public, and if there is anything left in the condition of the country to regret then for the time being it is most adroitly and most effectively disiniisod. There have been bigger mails, bigger trains, more cars and more visitors in and out of "Wellington than ever before, and its folk are content.