WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1929, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS

SOUTH ISLAND MAIN TRUNK

RAILWAY,

PRIME MINISTER STILL DETERMINED.

(Special Correspondent.;

WELLINGTON, June 10

The Prime Minister has returned from his Auckland trip undismayed by the denunciation levelled against his determination to span the gap which cripples the utility of the South Island Trunk Railway. He has been reminded by the Otago Expansion League that similar objections to those now being made to* the completion of this trunk line were made against the construction of the North Island Main Trunk and the Midland Railway. This conservative body, which has no parochial end to serve in urging the spanning of the gap between \Vharainii and Parnassus declares that if the objections of a section of the people of the North Island hold good then all railway construction in the Dominion should cense. Sir Joseph Ward endorses the view of the Otago League and asks “why should those opposed to the construction of the South llsand Main Trunk line not say stop the construction of tfic Taranaki-Aucklnnd and Wairon-Gisborne lines?” A' logical answer is awaited. WOMEN POLICE. : The Hon T. M. Wilford, who as Minister of Justice is responsible for the administration of tile Police and i Prison Departments, told a deputation from the Justices of Peace Association :the other day that while lie occupied •his present oiiicial position lie never Would recommend the appointment of women as police. The members of the deputation wore taken aback by the 'Minister’s assertion, as well they |might be, in view of the handsome recognition accorded to the services of • women police in England and in America. “Women’ societies in this country, for some years now have been {agitating for women police,” says the “‘Dominion” in. commenting upon the iincident. “The difficulty they have [encountered is not so much reasoned • argument, but n state of mind, tbe [state of mind which leads Mr WilTord to declare so emphatically that !there will be no women police as long as he is Minister.” It is not often the Minister of Justice affords his .‘critics so palpable an opening. i THREATENED TAXATION. ; Sir Joseph Ward has not minced J matters in saying that in order to leaver the deficit in the public accounts to which lie succeeded and to meet the inevitable demand made upon him from other directions lie must have 'additional revenue. This can be assured, he says, only by further taxation and this prospect is not being relished by his probable victims. The Canterbury Chamber of Commerce bar* raised a loud protest against the suggestion of increased taxation and has urged a reduction in expenditure which it thinks might be effected by cutting down “the army of civil servants.” Tbe “Evening Tost,” without discouraging tbe plea for economy, reminds the good folk of the southern province that it must he supported by sincerity. “How near home dots it come?” it asks. “Is Canterbury prepared to : forego works and services in Canterbury, or does it approve of railway stoppages only in Rotorua?” The i question is pertinent enough for general application. “THE EMDEN.” | Apparently numbers of returned solidiers in and around Wellington are out of touch with the official attitude ;of the Wellington Returned Soldiers* | Association towards the crew of the (Linden and indeed towards the German people. Numbers of letters are appearing in the local newspapers expressing the more generous view. One of them may he quoted as indicating the character of many others. “Let us show we bear no ill-will,” the writer urges. us make the time that the Eniden spends in our ports as pleasant as possible; let us send the visitors away with a feeling of friendship and sportsmanship that will redound to our credit as a nation and act as a leavening influence in promoting in some small measure the interests of international peace.” This undoubtedly is the view taken by the great majority of the people of the capital city, and if a different attitude is maintained by the Returned Soldiers’ Association there will lie deep regret throughout the community.