WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taihape Daily Times, 11 June 1918, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE WAR CENSORSHIP. INFLAMMATORY LITERATURE. WELLINGTON, June 10. The Hon. A. M. Myers, who is bearing the burdens of the Treasury as well us those of his own Departments during the absence of Sir Joseph Ward', has lately had a little controversy with the Protestant Political Association added to his multitudinous labours and responsibilities. As Minister of Customs he is entrusted with the war censorship of imported literature and in his discretion he has decided that certain books the P. P. A. — to give the Association its popular title —wishes to circulate in support of its propaganda are to a large section of the community of such an offensive character, within the meaning of the War Regulations, they should not be admitted to the country. Not satisfied with the Minister's decision the Executive of the P. P. A. sent a deputation headed by the Rev. Howard Elliott and the Rev. Knowles Smith to further urge upon the Government the League's claim to distribute what literature it pleased in support of what its members believed to be a righteous cause. FOR UNITY AND CONCORD. The deputation was received by Sir Francis Bell and Mr. Myers, and after the Attorney-General had explained the legal aspect of the matter the Minister of Customs reiterated what he had oaid to a similar deputation in Auckland. He had no doubt the League was acting under a sincere sense of duty, but it was moving at the wrong time and, if he might be permitted to say so, in the wrong way. The League would be within its rights in challenging the Roman Catholic Church on religious doctrines or political principles, but it would not be justified in impugning its motives or denouncing its practices. This was a time for unity and concord in the face of a great national peril, not for religious and social dissensions, and the Government was going to do what it conceived, to be its duty regardless of any political pressure that might be threatened or applied. It must be understood this was a question of general concern, not one of party politics. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

More or less circumstantial stories have been in circulation for weeks past in regard to the treatment of military prisoners in the special gaol at Wanganui and the local newspapers have received many letters on the subject which have' not reached the length of publication. Sbhie of the allegations are of the most serious nature and one or two a're supported by a wealth of what purports to be corroborative evidence that cannot be brushed lightly aside. A letter signed by six of prisoners, describing cases of the roughest 'handling, to put it mildly, has been seen by responsible people and it is understood its contents have been brought under'The notice of the Minister of Defence. Sir James Allen and General Henderson discredit the stories, but the Minister has promised to have them investigated and to deal promptly with any abuses that may be discovered. COST OF LIVING. The excessive cost of living is always a grievance with the people of Wellington and the complaint of the Nelson civil servants has brought it into prominence again. According to the official statistics, however, the good folk of Nelson, who do not enjoy the best of communication with the outside world, are not nearly so badly off in this respect as are those of the capital city, which, of course, prides itself upon being the chief centre of distribution in the Dominion. The Government Statistician shows that while the cost of commodities and rent taken together have advanced 41 per cent in Wellington compared with the average during the five years before the war, they have advanced only 23 per cent in Nelson. In Auckland the advance has been 25 per cent., in Christchurch 18 per cent., in Dunedin 21 per cent, in Hamilton 24 per cent, in Gisborne 28 per cent, in New Plymouth 24 per cent, in Wanganui 25 per cent, in Taihape 36 per cent, in Palmerston North 28 per cent, in Blenheim 16 per cent, in Greyniouth 15 per cent, in Oamaru 19 per cent and in Invercargill 18 per cent. The truth of the whole matter seems to be that Wellington, where rent, in spite of legislation, have increased 33 per cent, is the only place where the cost of living has grown beyond all the reasons and excuses provided by the war.