WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taihape Daily Times, 1 June 1918, Page 5

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

0 THE GREY ELECTION. LABOUR’S TRIUMPH. WELLINGTON, May 31. The result of the Grey election, so far as it represents a triumph for the Labour Party, was not unexpected here by people who had impartially surveyed the prospects of the contest. Since the removal of the strong controlling hand and understanding heart of Mr. Seddon, the West Coast con. stituencies have shown a disposition to drift away from constituted authority. Like the proverbial Irishmen they are tempearamentaily “agin” the Government. Then Mr. Holland’s platform experience has made film, if one may use such a term in a strictly political sense, master of every trick of the trade, and he was able to persuade many fervidly patriotic electors that his opposition to compulsory service was inspired solely by a desire to promote the best interests of the Empire and its people. The fact that his majority was 766 smaller than that obtained by Mr. P. C. Webb at the general election against a better known opponent at least affords Mr. Coates and his supporters the satisfaction of knowing that public opinion in the constituency is turning their way. THE SECOND DIVISION.

Sir James Allen’s deferred reply to the demands of the ■ Second Division I League was communicated to the | newspapers yesterday, and though it | occupies two and a-quarter columns of | close print its substance consists of no more than a polite refusal to accede to the League’s proposals for increased allowances and a fair promise to carefully consider its repatriation scheme. Referring to the latter; the Minister says it may take some time to evolve a satisfactory scheme, „hut every effort will be made “to remove I the fear a soldier may have that on discharge he will not be in a position to provide for himself, his wife and dependents.” With this, it seems, thsf| members of the Second Division will have to be content meanwhile. Of course the welfare of, the dependent’s of a married soldier during his absence from the Dominion rests very largely with the Financial Assistance Board. This body has most difficult and delicate duties to discharge, but Sir James has given fresh assurances in regard to, its administration which it is Hoped will lessen the anxiety of some of the men. THE LEAGUE’S ATTITUDE. Though the President of the Second Division League has had no opportunity to confer with his colleague's since the publication of the Minister’s reply, the views he has expressed in the newspapers this morning concerning the powers and scope of the Financial Assistance Board may be taken to represent the official attitude of the League. “We can only repeat,” he says, “that the sum of £9O per annum, or £1 14s 6d per week, is not enough to keen a soldier’s wife in food, clothing, other necessaries, comforts and accidental expenditure in j these days of high prices, and after ( consulting with the various leagues we j will respectfully ask you to receive further representations on this matter at a later date. It is known that the members of the League are not unanimous on the subject, but probably a large majority of them are in favour of providing by statute what is now left to the discretion of the Board. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS-

At a recent “public meeting” under the auspices of the National Council of Women held here, certain statements concerning the treatment of conscientious objectors were made “in committee” with the intention, it would seem, of inflaming the minds of the ladies present against military service and the military atuhorities, It was alleged that ifiere lads who placed their conscience before their material comfort were being subjected to “No. 1 field punishment,” involving the most painful and degrading barbarities. Inevitably the statements got abroad and just as inevitably enquiries were instituted by the newspapers and by interested individuals. The result already is a mass of evidence showing that the statements are without a shred of foundation in their more serious aspect. Conscientious objectors, who refuse to be persuaded of their error, are subject to a short priod of detention and then, if they still persist, to a longer term of imprisonment. They suffer no cruelty and no indignity, except of their own creation, and always have the door of repentance wide open to them.

AN EXTRAORDINARY CASE. LONDON, May 30. At the trial of Mr. Pemberton Billings, M.P., on a charge of alleged libel against Maud Allan, replying to Mr. Billings’ question, Maud Allan admitted that her brother, William Durrant, : had been executed at San Francisco for murdering two young girls. The first witness, Mrs. Villiers Stewart, gave evidence regarding a mysterious book compiled by the German Secret Service, and in the possession of the German authorities. She said it contained the names of 47,000 men and women in Britain occupying social, political and financial positions, and a record of their alleged moral, sexual, or other weaknesses, rendering them easy victims to assist Germany. She said she had handled the book in company with the late Hon. Neil Primrose and Major Rothschild. The names of Mr. Justice Darling, Lord Haldane, and Mr. and Mrs. Asquith appeared in the book. Mr. Justice DaTling, before whom the case is being heard, refused to a*low Mr. Billing to ask Mrs. Stewart further questions, and ordered her to leave the box, saysing he must protect absolutely defenceless people. Mrs. Stewart shouted: “We will never win the war while you are sitting there helping the enemy.” The Court was crowded, many women being present. There was much excitement, while Mr. Billing and Mrs Stewart were shouting at the judge. Mr. Billing said he was going to cal! evidence to show the existence of a sexual cult, and its political significance. Lord Alfred Douglas would be among the witnesses. Mr. Spencer, the writer of the article relating to the 47,000 names, gave evidence that he was aide-de-camp to Prince William’S? Wied when the latter was King of 'Albania. Prince William of Wied showed him the book. He could not get the Foreign Office to ventilate the fact that England was in Germany’s hands, so went to Mr. Billings. Mr. Spencer admitted that doctors at Salonika had locked him in a hut on the ground that he was suffering from halucinations, but he escaped.