WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 6 July 1917, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE MINISTERS’ TRIP HOME. STATEMENTS IN THE HOUSE. (Special Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 3. Though, intensely interesting as recitals of their experiences and observations during their trip Home, the statements made by Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward in the House of Re presentatives yesterday must have been disappointing to those people who had been looking for startling disclosures. They contained little of importance the insistent interviewer had not already \oxtracted from the (Ministers and ' necessarily nothing at all concerning the great questions discussed by the Imperial War Conference and the Imperial War Cabinet. But both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance were listened to with wrapped attention by a full House and crowded galleries and heartily applauded on the conclusion of their remarks_ They touched lightly on the criticism that had been directed against them from some quarters in connection w?th their prolonged absence from the Dominion, and, without inviting the reproach implied in the familiar French proverb, explained how their earlier return would have compelled them to leave uncompleted much of the work they had in hand.

THE COMMERCIAL RESULTS. The Ministers were able to speak quite freely of the strictly commercial and financial achi/evpm,cnts of their tour. Mr. Massey reviewed in some detail their negotiations with the Imperial authorities in regard to the prices to be paid for wool, meat, butter, cheese and other commodities, and Sir Joseph Ward showed how he had been able to effect a saving of just upon half a millian in brokerage and other fees by discussing those subjects on the spot. They both expressed themselves in optimistic terms when referring to the course of the war, Mr. Massey hoping the end would be reached this year and Sir Joseph venturing upon a prediction to the same effect, but they urged that the certainty of victory should stimulate the people of the Dominion to still further efforts on behalf of the Empire and to still higher aspirations and resolutions for the future., Their speephieb,) (i)n ( shoi*t, struck just the right notes of assurance and determination, and for these virtues they may be forgiven any of their minor debts. PARTY.

1 That certain members of the House are still a little sensitive on the question of “party” .was shown yesterday afternoon when the Minister of Public Works proposed to continue the existence of an Advisory and Furnishing Committee which was appointed last session to attend to various matters in connection with the new Parliamentary buildings. The committee happens to contain a distinct majority of Reform members, as most of the sessional committees do, and Dr. Thacker protested that it should be revived without its party colour being modifed. He had understood when the National Government, was set up that party differences and distinctions would be set aside, but i this certainly had not been the case in the appointment of committees and he would like the Minister to reconsider his proposal. Mr. Fraser, however, explained, that this was “ merely an ordinary committee” whose party colour was of no importance and the House apparently being of the same mind his motion -was carried without further dissent, SPEEDING UP. In presenting a petition in favour of six o ’clock closing Mr. Craigio, the member for Timaru, who had lively recollections of the futility of referring such documents to a sessional committee, moved that it should go direct to the Government. Had there been any opposition to this course, even the opposition of a singjp ipember, ;the motion could not have been entertained; but at the moment no one seemed anxious to delay the progress of the position and Mr. Craigie got his way. It is hoped by those members who wish to see the early closing question brought, to a speedy vote that the result will be to greatly hasten the decision. If flic various petitions went before a committee their consideration I might be dragged on throughout the J whole length of the session without throwing the faintest ray of additional light upon the main issue. If both sides agree to the course Mr. Craigio’s success has a groat deal of time and temper will be saved and a conclusion may bo reached within a month.