AROUND THE CAPITAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 6, 29 March 1927, Page 1

AROUND THE CAPITAL

WATCHFUL LIBERALS NEW-NEWSPAPER RUMOURS RATEPAYERS IN DOUBTS (From Our Resident Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. Politically the capital appears quiet. But in certain quarters—in the language of a well-worn quotation—“things are not what they seem.” The movement for the revival of Liberalism, which has been simmering here for some time and which failed to reach fruition at two conferences held here, has broken out into full bloom with the assistance of the northern advocates of its principles. There is ample evidence that the Liberals —the remnants of an army once generalled by some of the stoutest pillars of our society—are accepting this recall to life with intense seriousness, and have already made negotiations (so it is understood) toward securing an organ of their own to exploit the rejuvenated policy. * * * As business men the Liberals realise the necessity for publicity, and it is with a desire to be in the centre of things that they focus their eyes upon the diminished newspaper field of Wellington. There are other eyes peering In this direction, however, and behind their- are the calculating brains of those who know the ropes _>f journalism and of business. However far these enterprising concerns might progress # toward the achievement of their objective, endeavours are certainly being made to bring another newspaper into the field to replace the vanished glory of the “New Zealand Times.” * * * It is to be readily understood that all the great minds in the city—com mercial, political and academic —have for the past two days been centred upon the Basin Reserve, where New Zealand’s cricket eleven received a rather severe handling in the first innings with the touring eleven from Melbourne. In spite of a reputation for indifference in matters of Domin-ion-wide moment, Wellingtonians showed a weak spot in their reserve at the week-end, and from manager to office boy turned out to see the play. One of the members of the Australian team was surprised on the first day of the test, when during the tea adjournment the manager presented him with a trophy which he had won at a fete in one of the provincial towns and which had been forwarded to him at Wellington. His embarrassment upon opening up a beauti-fully-dressed doll was equalled only by the amusement of those fortunate epough to witness the presentation. Whether the trophy acted in the natui e of a mascot it is difficult to say. bat it was not long before the N.Z. side was disposed of and Melbourne was at the wickets. * * * After a term of untiring service on behalf o& the city, the mayor, Mr. C. J. B. Norwood, has declined to accept renomination for the position, and will during next month hand the reins of civic government here over t« liis successor—to be chosen at tlic municipal elections. Recognising that an unsympathetic public frequently administers more blows than shower bouquets, Mr. Norwood must have been gratified at the tribute which hv received this week-end from his Grace Archbishop Redwood, the head of i'. ? Catholic Church in New Zealand. His Grace accepted the mayor’s presence at the Lewisham hospital function as an indication of a real live interest in anything that was of advantage i*. the city. “I consider him a worthy first citizen to this city,” the Archbishop concluded. Mr. Norwood vviU him a record of strenuous endeavour for the welfare of the city, and the Archbishop’s tribute will doubtless be echoed by many who have reason to reflect personally upon his beneficent administration at the head of the City Council. * * * There appears to be a grave dou'-i in the minds of the citizens as a whole as to what they require from candidates for civic honours. The Civic League is active—it has been so evei since it began some years ago—but j the severity of its criticisms has given rise to doubts of its efficacy, in the minds of many of the more rational voters. This has resulted in the recent germination of an old seed, and further tickets of candidates are likely to be announced. Another point which worries many people is just how they should treat the Labour candidates on the council. Should they include them among others in what will almost certainly be called a “citizens’ ticket’.-”' i Again the rational voter asks: “Why not, if they have served the city well?” * * * Gratification has been expressed at Parliamentary buildings at the selection of the Minister of Lands, Hon. A. D. McLeod, as New Zealand’s ambassador to the opening of the Federal Parliament at Canberra. It was generally anticipated about the lobbies that Mr. McLeod would be the chosen delegate, for it was felt that his service to the Government and his ceaseless efforts in the fulfilment of his duties in the portfolios of Lands and Industries and Commerce proved him to be a man of keen perceptibility, ready .adaptibilJty ar.d lucid expression—a man who would worthily impart the Dominion's message to Australia, and faithfully convey the sentiments of the Commonwealth to New Zealand.