WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1930, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. IS QUALITY BEING MAINTAINED? (Special Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 30. Mr. J. B. iViacEwan, tlie head of the big dairying firm bearing his name, has returned from a trip to the Old Country impressed by the urgent importance of New Zealand maintaining the quality of its butter and cheese, and seeing that the shipments sent away are of the texture and flavour demanded by their potential consumers. While moving about among the importers and distributors in London ,M.r MncEwan encountered complaints concerning New Zealand produce, which suggested there was something,wrong at this end particularly with the .cheese exported. With the dairy industry approaching an ahnual exportable value of twenty millions sterling, lie emphasized it behoved the producers, the shippers and the Government to leave no stone unturned to . extend the popularity and the consumption of New Zealand goods. Mr Mac Ewan recognises the good work being done by the officers of the Daily Division in this respect; but he strongly urges that their efforts sliQuld be accelerated by the active cooperation of the producers, the shippers, the Dairy Board and the .Minister in charge.

TRANSPORT PROBLEMS.

The cheery. expectations of the Hon. W. A. Veitch in regard to the passage of his Transport Bill during this year s session of Parliament are not shared bv all those likely to be affected by the provisions of his measure. The Minister has assured various individuals and groups already embarked upon the transport business that their interests will not be prejudiced by his proposed legislation ; but those immediately concerned are finding it difficult to realise how State opposition is going to leave them unscathed, unless it is by the State services proving less efficient than those of private enterprise. However, the details of the, Minister’s scheme still have to' be divulged and the scheme itself need not he denounced in advance. Meanwhile the pioneers on the road have the .satisfaction of knowing that Mr Veitch is a man of his word and that his Scotch instincts and his souigl common sense will save him from embarking_ upon an. enterprise of the kind, without the closest investigation and most deliberate consideration.

PARTY AND ORGANISER

So far as Wellington is concerned the family squabbles within the United Party have'lost their relish. Mr A. E. Davy, the erstwhile chairman of the United Political Organisation, continues to gain admission to the local news papers now- aiid again ; but Ho 1 one seems to : : take any particular notice of his challenges or his laments and the world turns on its axis as usual. The story that Mr Davy, having renounced in turn his allegiance to the Reform Party, affd to the 4 United'Party, had turned to the Labour Party for emplyment, was merely a jest—a rather lame one which',-.did not raise as much as a smile-Trbut it is'true that he is challenging Sir' Joseph Ward to a controversy ; 6ver the happenings of the last few'.weeks. It is scarcely necessary to say that Sir Joseph Ward is neither responding nor encouraging any of his friends to "engage: in such a fray. This being the case the whole turnmoil may be regarded ns an incident of the past.

THE FUTURE

The latest news from Rotorua to-day is that the Prime Minister is making good wav towards a complete recovery from his ailments of the last four or five months,' and that he will be able to take up his full share of administrative work on his return to Wellington three or four weeks hence. During his absence he is keeping in close touch with,his colleagues and the heads of Departments, One of the reproaches directed against, him by his political critics is, indeed, that he is interfering too much with the affairS of his.tcolleagues and the.departments they are supposed to 'control. ' This 'sort of criticism, however* •pprturbs no member of the Cabinet and the whole party team seems to be adjusting itself to circumstances very,happily. Rotorua is connected night and day with Wellington, and even while taking his bath at the other end the Prime Minister can discuss affairs of State.or events of the day with any intelligent person that may be handy.