WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1931, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS

RETURN OF SIR JAMES PARR

POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE

v (Special Correspondent)

"WELLINGTON, January 5

The announcement of the impending return of the Hon. Sir James Parr to the Dominion after an absence of nearly four years in London—three years as High Commissioner for the Dominion — has set in circulation a rumour to-the

effect that it is the intention of Sir James to re-enter the politcal arena here in an Independent capacity. It is not generally suggested that he intends to break bis association with the Deform Party, but it is rumoured that looking at the position from a distance he is not wholly satisfied with the attitude of the Official Opposition. It was whispered about at the time of liis departure from London after the election of 1925 that he was less jubilant than were the majority of his colleagues over the Deform victory and that he had let them know he was not altogether confident of the stability of the big battalions. Be this ns it may, it is certain he took Ilia holiday from politics at a very t oppor* tune time for himself.

TOTALJSATOII DECLINES.

h Hood weather in general, and good ~ sport almost universally, did not prevent a tremendous drop in the totalisator investments at the fourteen race meetings and seven trotting meetings held during the Christmas holiday fortnight. The two Auckland Clubs—racing and trotting—being the , big-: jy es t gatherings, were inevitably the biggest sufferers, the racing showing a decline from £352,436 last year to £282,558 this year, a shrinkage of # £69,878, and'the. trotting a decline from £166,555 to £129,875, a shrinkage of % £36,680. Perhaps the decline in'rac,y. ing and trotting and gambling is no great occasion for regret; but it will S’ considerably lessen the national revenue, and perhaps reduce’th’e value of thoroughbred horses. As thoroughbred horses in these days do little; more

than minister to the pleasures of sportsmen and casual investors there pror- babfy will be no loud lamentations over the decline of tlieir' species. In the 4ong run the Government will be the principal loser, and its troubles are widely distributed.

THE PIONEER,

It is now some sixteen or seventeen years ago. that Sir Henry Wigram made in the Legislative Council all argent appeal to the Government of the. day to turn its attention to the development of aviation iii the Dominion. He was listened to with the interest and respect he always commanded, but only a member of the Council here and there seemed to follow him' with understanding. Ultimately, however, he managed to draw attention to his "fad,” as his enthusiasm then was styled, from other far-seeing observers, and his .lavish, generosity bore fruit early enough to Have warm appreciation even in the opening stages of the war. One is, reminded of all this by a very stimulating article in the "Dominion” this morning telling of the progress, made by aviation during the year just’, closed. The author shows that this outpost of the Empire has held its own. , .with other outposts during the last .decade und it will not forget from whence, its impetus came. U • ;

UNEMPLOYMENT..; v

A contributor to this morning’s

•; f . paper, signing himself “Do Unto Others” justifies his nom de plume with a string of panaceas, occupying % the host part of a column, for the ills S" besetting the communtv at the preV. sent time. “No one able to retire.” lie says, “should be allowed to work; '• there would be plenty for them to do ip helping others to enjoy life.” ' “People who can afford to have work •• done should have it done.” “No interest should be charged over 5.. per cent.” “What we cannot buy within the Empire we should go without.” “The bookmaker should be licensed and taxed.” “The Government should 'stop all land speculation by taking all profits over 10 per cent.” “Married women school teachers should be forced to leave at once, and places of single women when they retired should ho filled by men.” And! so on and so on until only unemployed could dream of waste and extravagance.