WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1928, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

LABOUR- LAWS. IXDUSTRIAL LEG ISLATIOX. (Special to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON', March 26. The general opinion among employers and workers alike is that the conference which will open in Parliament Buildings to-morrow to consider the working of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act will he. fraught with no momentuous results. The popular view of the gathering is that it hits been arranged bv the Government in the hope that the parties con corned will come to some agreement that will save .Ministers from the embarrassment of hhving to revise Lite Act on their own responsibility. So good a slice of luck is scarcely likely to come the way of the Cabinet. While the Government, naturally, is anxious to get this bogey out of the way before the general election, the official Labour Party, just as naturally, is desirous of keeping its own particular grievance? alive for the hustings. The Hon. .1. .M a 'Gregor. M.L.C., who lately bar keen devoting some of his leisure t the dissection of the Act, thinks tlm while *’ the federated employers an: the bastard unions ” are in agreement in advocating the retention of th Arbitration Court’ reform is impossible THE SAMOAN ADMINTSTR ATOP The “Dominion” hits revised it l somewhat restrained welcome to the new Administrator of Samoa, and extended to him a warm appreciation. As a lawyer.” it. says. •• he has : reputation for sound and dispassionate judgment ; as a soldier ho has show! high moral and physical coinage air’ qualities of leadership which command ed the respect of his subordinates while in public offices lie has demon si rated marked administrative abilit as well as a bigli regard for the oblige, tions of his position. His intimate have described him as painstaking eminently just and with a broad and humane outlook ; but at the same time lirm and unyielding in the performance of his duty, and commanding respcci and confidence by his personality and character. Colonel Allen has a difficult task ahead of him, hut it would seem that the Government has marie a wise choice in the man it has selected for that task.” This high estimation of tin; new Administrator's qualifies! tions for his responsible office is warmly endorsed from other sources and the Government appears to have chosen well. REFORM KICK-OFF. . A meeting which was described by the Chairman as the “kick-off” of the Reform election campaign, took place on Friday night when the Prime Minister addresed a large gathering “of Government supporters and members of the Wellington and Hutt bronchos of the New Zealand Political Reform League.” Mr Coates recited to his very cordial audience some of the achievements of the Reform Party during the past year, particularly stressing the increase in the value of exports from the Dominion, for which improved prices for wool, dairy produce and frozen lamb were mainly responsible, and the decrease in immigration. 'lhe Prime .Minister took as much i rrdit for these achievements ;.;s any other party leader would have done in similar circumstances, but t.lc> gathering v.i-s not moved to any great measure of enthusiasm. Increased exports and lessened immigration had not reduced the cost of living nor had restricted immigration banished unemployment. Tlie truth of the matter is that party enthusiasm Inis waned with tlie years and that even the Reform 1 kick-off suffered from the prevailing apathy. VACANT CABINET EEATA. The departure of the Hen. G. J. Anderson - the Mini.-.lev ol i.abour. Mines. Mai inc and Pensions—for England. on holnUty bent, makes it wellnigh imperative that the vacancy in the Cabinet occasioned by the death ol the Hon. R. F. Bollard should be filled forthwith, and speculation is again busy with the names of members ol the House who reasonably might aspire to the coveted distinction. Mr F. F. Hocklv, the member for Rotorua, who was generally expected to succeed Mr Bollard on that gentleman’s decease, still is the popular pick for the approaching appointment. but other members of the House with some claim to promotion have been about the precincts lately, and it has been suggested that Mr Hockly on the eve of a general election, thinks the chairmanship of committees, in the hand, hotter than a portfolio depending upon an appeal to the constituencies. Mr H. S. Dickson, the member for Parnell, was in town last week, and some .substantial'recognition of his services as senior whip is long overdue. His own attitude towards the matter is one of indifference, and this, of course, leaves the quidnuncs guessing.