WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1933, Page 7

WELLINGTON TOPICS

POLITICS AND POLITICIANS LIKE THE Rjv. i UF HUMANITY Occasional Correspondent. WELLINGTON', September 27. The statement by the Prime Minister to the effect that Sir Thomas Wilord is not particularly anxious to prolong his occupancy of the High Comiiissionship beyond the current year ■aturally Inis aroused some speculation as to who will be his successor in i olio Government’s Office in London. Recollecting that there was a good deal of supposition as to whether Mr Forbes or Mr Coates would attend the World Monetary and Economic Conference, vitli the Hon Robert Masters as a companion of the selected leader, it is being assumed in many quarters that one or other of these gentlemen will succeed the present Commissioner. At the moment Mr Coates is mentioned j s the more likely nominee of the two, j be having foregone the personal advantages of the Monetary and Economic Conference and served his absent colleagues very assiduously. Another suggestion that Air Coates may he a member of the Cabinet going o London on the retirement of Sir Hiomas Wilford is provided by a cable message in which the “Financial News” eferring to the Dominion’s recent conversions says, “in spite of many dif’ieultics still existing it seems certain Hint the worst of the crisis has passed. Experts and the general trade outlook are extremely good. Mr Coates should •lot have a different task if he comes 'o London to negotiate a conversion.” This is good news from a reliable ource, whether or not the country is ••cady for such an operation, and it may be hoped that the assurance from Hie other s'ide of the world is to bo fully established here. With the Mother Country so l ready to assist there should be no lack of effort at this end.

In those circumstances it is more than a little unfortunate that the Labour Party under the guidance of its leaders, insists upon delaying a session which easily might be completed before Christmas. It is only fair to say, however, that the responsibility for the impending waste of time and money does not rest entirely with the opposition. Parliament was formally opened eight days ago and since Jias done nothing that could not have bee r •'cinpleted in a morning or an afternoon sitting. Yesterday afternoon was devoted to tributes to legislators and exlegislators who passed away during the recess, while in the evening the Coalition member for Christchurch North and the Coalition member for Waitomo wrestled with the Address-in-Reply until .time and exhaustion brought them 'to conclusion wad actibumment. ' What will become of Mr 11. E. Holland, the leader of the Labour Opposition, when he casts his vote of “no Confidence” against ; the . Coalition Government again remains to he seen, ft is certain, however, that lie will make but little progress, if any at all, towards the goal to which he aspired some twenty odd years ago. Under the present system of election 'it is only the larger city constituencies that offer adequate representation in Parliament to working men and women. Mr Holland is as aware of this fact as is every other observant person, and yet- be never is being heard urging the working men in cities to advocate the advantages of electoral reform. In this respect, with all his appeals for reform, he is obdurate as are the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance.