WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1929, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS

“THE POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT.”

CHEATING COUNC ILLORS.

(Special Correspondent)

■WELLINGTON, April 15. It was only just the other day that Sir Joseph Ward was shown a paragraph' furnished to one ol the South Island evening newspapers by its “Wellington Political Correspondent” Stating in effect that the Prime Minister since his assumption of office had received some two hundred applications for seats in the Legislative Council and was about to make twenty appointments to the nominated branch of the Legislature. Sir Joseph was much amused by the enterprise of .the author; but he had to confess he had not been devoting a great deal of attention to the constitution of the nominated chamber. .As a matter of fact he had not suffered at all from importunate applicants ‘for seats in the Council and the ‘“Political’ Correspondent” and his (employers might make their minds guite teasy •on the matter. Strengthening the ' Jjiegislatiye Council was not the most urgent need of the moment; : Much graver problems were occupying the attention of the Government. ■

CHIEF JUSTICESHIP

The “Evening Post” is concerned by tlio delay in the appointment of a Ciiief Justice to fill the vacancy occasioned by the much deplored death of Sir Charles Skerrett. Having explained that it lias not referred to the subject before because it wished to avoid even the appearance of canvassing so high an office; it urges that action should be taken by the authorities forthwith. “The length of time which has elapsed since the office became vacant,” it says, “has, unfortunately, permitted this canvassing to extend until it has found expression in the Press. . . To end this unsettlemont, and, above all, to check the widespread canvassing which cannot hut ho harmful to the dignity of the Judiciary, we hope that the Government' will announce its nomination at the earliest possible date.” Arrangements were made for the absence of Sir Charles Skerrett, bu.t not for his death. It certainly appears to the layman that the delay in filling the vacancy is undesirable.

MINISTER ANI) NURSERYMEN

Mr Taverner, who came to Wellington one of the least known politically of Sir Joseph Ward’s colleagues in the new' Cabinet, has not been long m making himself acquainted with the details of the various administrative departments entrusted to his care. Railways, of course, occupy the greater part of bis attention; but as side linos to this important trust lie has charge of State Forestry, Customs and other important (branches of the State service needing constant supervision. At the moment lie is engaged in a discussion with the Nurserymens’ Association, whose members contend that the State Forestry Department, which raises many thousands of trees each year for public purposes, should not sell its surplus supplies to private individuals. The Minister has agreed to standardise prices, which he regards as a reasonable arrangement; -but "for the present, though an ardent “private enterprise” advocate, he is not disposed to discontinue supplying trees to landholders needing them in considerable quantities.

TURNED TO ACCOUNT.

The Prime Minister’s residence in Tinakori Road, an historic edifice that has outlived its splendour and its utility, is at last to be turned to the definite service of the State. The

new Transport Department, created by the present Government and sure ' to bo a growing centre of administrative activity, is in need of a home for itself, and Sir Joseph Ward, and the Minister in Charge, the Hon. W. A. Veitch, have decided that the big House arid spacious grounds that havq harboured many premiers and their families in the past shall be turned to the purposes of the new department. There is no accommodation for the department in the unfinished parliamentary buildings, which may not be enlarged for another decade, and the rent of suitable premises in any other part of the city would run well into four figures, even if such premises could be discovered. The Tinakori block, on the other hand, is immediately available and can be easily shaped to meet the needs of the transport service.