WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taihape Daily Times, 25 January 1918, Page 6

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

NEW ZEALAND'S REPRESENTA-

TIVE

(Special Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Jan 23

Though there has been only one full meeting cf the Cabinet since the beginning of the Christmas holidays, owing to one or more Ministers being absent from Wellington on business or pleasure bent, tile administrative wheels of the Government machine have continued to go round and during the last week or two the party leaders have been in almost daily council with their colleagues. One of the subjects they have been discussing is the representation of the Dominion at what is popularly known as the imperial Conference, but what probably will be styled in history the first meeting of the Imperial War Cabinet Some months ago Mr Massey let it be understood that he would not leave his pest again this year and that if it were necessary for two Ministers te attend the impending gathering of Imperial statesmen Sir James Allen would accompany Sir Joseph Ward to London. But apparently Sir James had not been consulted about tMs arrangement and was not so gratifiES as it was expected he would he when he heard of the distinction it was proposed to confer upon him. DECLINED WITHOUT THANKS. The Minister of Defence, indeed, took no pains to disguise itis disinclination to exchange the role of a highly responsible administrator for that of a tinselled diplomat. Exactly what occurred when the suggestion was made to him of course only his r-vty chief couid tell, and in Mr Massey's keeping the secret is perfectly safe. But the gossips have it that he bluntly refused even to consider the

proposition unless lie were assured of the status thai would attach .to the representative" of the Prime Minister and of the main principles of his Defence administration heing continued during his absence. Be this as it may, it is fairly safe to predict now that Sir James will not go to London this year and that Mr Massey will. Quite ....•art from the stories the gossips are telling there is the fact of Mr Lloyd George temporising with the Pacific question to provide the Prime Minister with an excuse for revising his determination. None of his colleagues could put the case for keeping the Germans at arm's length quite so authoritatively as he could and none would have a better chance of making an impression upon the Imperial authorities.

AN EARLY SESSION OF PARLIAMENT

In their guarded allusions to the subject Ministers speak as if the Imperial Conference would be held early in the year and that a special .session of Parliament would be necessary .hefore New Zealand's representatives could leave for London They are not, it may be taken for granted, particularly anxious to have the labour .and worry of a hurried session added to their other burdens, but the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance could scarcely go away even for four or five months without making extensive provisions for their absence. Moreover, Mr Massey will desire to be fortified with a fairly strong resolution from Parliament affirming in unmistakable language the attitude of the people of the Dominion towards the idea of allowing the Germans when peace comes to resume the possessions in this part of the world from which they were ejected by the efforts of Australia and New Zealand at the beginning of the war. There will have to be a session of Parliament and no one can say how long it will last. HOPELESS POLITICIANS.

Whether the session comes early or late, at the usual time or not, Ministers will find the rank and file of both parties even more restless than they were last year. Mr Wilford's succession to the vacant seat in the Cabinet has deprived the "friendly" Opposition that is growing up in the House of one of its sanest and most capable members and there are bound to be several impetuous aspirants for the occupation of his shoes. Already Dr. Thacker is in the field, helping Mr Poulson, an "Independent Liberal," contrary to the "party truce," in his candidature for the Wellington North seat Avlth the express purpose of embarrassing the National Government, in regard to the administration of the Defence Department. Then members on bo'th sides of the House are being pressed by the constituents to make a vigorous protest against th» vagaries of the Railway Department, and with the possibility of an e—'y general election many of them will be more concerned for their <H-r seats than for,the convenience and comfort of Ministers'. Altogether it loc.-.s as if a special session would mean a lively time for the party leaders.