WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1931, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE PRIME MINISTER’S RETURN

A HEARTY RECEPTION,

(Special Correspondent)

WELLINGTON, January 21

The reception given to the. Right Hon. G. W. Forbes, by the .people of Wellington yesterday, on Mint return from the Imperial Conference, must have been satisfactory both to himself and to his personal and political friends. The rain at the time of his landing in the morning evidently had discouraged the disgruntled workers who had intended to carry their troubles to the Prime Minister there and then, and hv the time the evening reception was staged they had forgotten most of the grievances they had intended to unfold. Mr Forbes got to work within an hour or two or his dise m bark men t and was ready to meet the great audience that welcomed Inm in the Town Hall later on. Interrupters w;ere there in some numbers, hut they received little encouragement from the crowd jand by the time the Minister’s turn to speak came round the audience was all attention and hearty in its applause.

APPRECIATION

Among the happy tributes paid to Mr Forbes at the great gathering in the Town Hall were a few words from Sir Francis Bell, who was called upon unexpectedly to, fill the gap occasioned hv the absence of the leader of the Reform Opposition. “Mr Forbes,” the veteran statesman said, “is the most popular member of the House of Representatives and we of His Majesty’s Opposition one and all welcome him hack as a capable and faithful emissary. While representing New Zealand at the Imperial Conference he did exactly what the Dominion desired him to do, and upheld sacred traditions which must be preserved in the best interest of the nation. He is as heartily welcomed by those opposed to in .politics; .as ;he is by those who agree with him in controversial matters.” In acknowledging the tribute paid him, Mr Forbes warmly eulogised the services rendered by Sir Francis in’ a similar capacity.

GOVERNMENT LAND PURCHASE

Some little stir lias been created by the announcement that the Government has purchased a block of land of some 22,000 acres at Galatea in the Bay of Plenty for settlement purpose. Pessimists are making up their minds that this is a very* hazardous inidertakihg on the part of Mr Forbes and His colleagues, and the local newspapers are withholding their Opinion until they have further information In regard to the venture, “The fair ;picture of Galatea painted by Mi; .'Ransopi, ’» the '.'Dominion” says, .‘‘reads like a company prospectus except that there is no mention of canUtffisation.” ‘‘Perhaps” says the ";mor,e optimistic evening paper, “a real settlement block is . discoverable here and there, with or without a developmental subsidy from the Crown. It is the biggest thing done, in the Bay of Plenty hinterland for many years.” The Minister of Lands himself is confident- of the purchase being turned to good account. .

NATIONAL UNION. In the course of an editoria] appeal the “Evening Post” urges the Prime Minister to rally all the reasonable forces available within the Dominion to the various troubles besetting the community. “As first step,” it says, “we would urge that there should be a conference of the economic organisations—financing commercial, manufacturing, producing ;nd working. Such a conference might not detenu me a policy, but it would clear the air of many misconceptions and assure a greater degree of co-operation. It would furnish facts which would afford a starting point for action by a strong Government. Moreover, we believe that such a conference would demonstrate tlie necessity for strength in Government so clearly that even the most obstinate diehards would be unable to hinder the achievement of political unity.” The suggestion is admirable. It will appeal to the judgment of many people, but the majority will not understand.