WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 5 February 1917, Page 6

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE WATERFRONT. RESUMPTION OF WOES. (Special Correspondent). WELLINGTON Feb. 2. There was a general feeling of relief here when it became known yesterday that the watcrsidcrs had decided to resume work on the old terms pending some amicable revision of their existing agreement with the employers. Twenty-four hours before it had looked as if the country was on the verge of serious industrial trouble. The men had actually made a demonstration of their intentions and the employers had eS> pressed themselves in uncompromising terms. But at the eleventh hour, as it seemed, better counsel prevailed with the men, and they determined not to prejudice their case in the eyes of the public by precipitating a struggle without first exhausting the possibilities of conciliation. There is now good ground for hoping that the crisis has passed, and that the trouble will be settled without resorting to force.

THE WHEAT PROBLEM. Comparatively few North Island farmers are taking more than a languid interest in the efforts of the Acting Minister of Industries and Commerce to fix the price of wheat for the period cf the war, but those men in the Eangitikei and Manawatu districts who have made a habit of putting a fewacres under crop each year declare that w T ith wool and meat and butter at their present prices no guarantee under 5/6 per bushel would induce them to extend their present areas. They show on paper plainly enough that at ruling rates for labour and products grass is much more remunerative than crop. Wheat, they admit, would pay well at 5/- or even at less, but it would not pay nearly so well as butter-fat does, and its production would be attended with far more risk. Apparently Mr MaeDouald must look to the South Island farmers for the practical patriotism that would express itself in a large increased supply of foodstuffs. THE REINFORCEMENTS. It is highly gratifying to find his Excellency the Governor still able to commend each successive Reinforcement as it approaches the completion of its training, as the best he has had the pleasure of inspecting. He paid this pretty tribute to the Twentyseconds the other day on the eve of their march across the Rimutakas to Featherstcn, and from ail accounts of the appearance and bearing of the men it was well deserved. But in some other respects the machinery of the military system is not running quite as smoothly as could be desired. The Minister of Defence has exercised the utmost patience and forbearance with the bailottcd men who have not responded in the prescribed way to the country's call, but there still are hundreds of them who have not reported themselves to the military authorities. These men have rendered themselves liable to very severe penalties, and unless they hasten to repair their omission they may find themselves in an extremely unpleasant position. OVERWORKED MINISTERS. The prolonged absence of Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward from the Dominion is placing a very severe strain upon the members of the Cabinet who have taken up the bulk of their ministerial duties, and it is not surprising that the additional strain is beginning to tell on some of these '' willing horses.'' Dr McNab's illness has proved much more serious and more protracted that was expected at first, and probably it will leave him unfit for active service for some months to come. Mr Myers, although sticking to his post and making light of his largely-increased burdens,, is in the hands of the doctors, and Mr MacDonald is making huge drafts upon a large reserve of physical strength. Mr Allen, perhaps the hardest worked of all, seems to have developed Mr Seddon's powers of endurance, but with the demands of leadership added to the responsibilities of Defence administration, h e is carrying a load which no man could bear indefinitely with impunity. The war has largely increased the labours of all Mnisters and if, as seems likely, the party leaders remain away f'oi another three or four months some means will have to be devised for relieving the worst of the sufferers.