WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taihape Daily Times, 15 June 1918, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE PACIFIC ISLANDS. THE TRADE COMMISSIONER’S REPORT. WELLINGTON, June J 4. The cablegram from London, published yesterday, indicating the najtura of the report supplied by Mr. R. W* Dalton, the British Trade Commissioner resident in Wellington, concerning the trade of the Pacific Islands, proves that the Colonial Office is much more alert in these days man it was a few years ago. It proves, too, that Mr. Dalton has not been allowing the grass to grow under his feet during the last month or two. It is only a few days ago that he returned from his Island trip and yet Mr. Walter Long, the Colonial Secretary, is already in possession of his report, which must have been prepared on the spot, and apparently is taking • steps to give effect to its recommendations. “In view of Mr. Dalton’s report,” the mesage states, “Mr. Long will inevitably acquiesce in the claims of the Dominions that German influence shall be eliminated from the South Pacific.” As evidence of Mr. Dalton’s versatility it perhaps is worth while mentioning that since his return from his tory-making mission he has been de- * voting himself with characteristic enthusiasm to the arrangement of a; British manufactures exhibit at the National Dairy Show at Palmerston. NEW ZEALAND AND SAMOA. It is interesting to recall that so long ago as 1885 the New Zealand Parliament passed an Annexation Act with a view, to bringing Samoa under the administration of the Government of this country. The measure was vetoed by the Imperial authorities, but it marked the beginning of an agitation for the extension of British influence in the Pacific which has varied in intensity but continued to grow in volume and purpose. It was Mr. John Lundon who first brought the persistent aggression of the Germans under the notice of the public by defying their insolent assumption of authority, and it -was mainly through his efforts as agent of the Samoan Parliament constituted by King Maliotoa that the Annexation Act came into existence. When the late Mr. Seddon succeeded to the leadership of the New Zealand Government, he at once revived interest in the subject by mentioning it the Governor’s Speech and making strong representations to thg Imperial Government as .to the importance of having the Islands definitely under British control. The Parliamentary records show that be continued his representations right up to the completion ,of the unfortunate arrangement with Germany and that he never lost hope of this arrangement being reviewed. THE SOLDIER’S WIFE. The correspondence passing between the Minister of Defence and the Executive of the Second Division League continues to furnish entertaining reading even to those who are not personally concerned in the Issues to which the contending parties are devoting themselves.' They both, are generating a little warmth by constant friction. “J leave the public to judge.” the Ministers says in a letter published this morning, “as the sincerity of the reasons put forth by the executive in withdrawing its representative from the Soldiers’ Financial Assistance Board.” “The executive resents the suggestion contained in this paragraph,” the secretary of the League retorts, “and desires to say in reply that as you have been the first to raise the question of sincerity the League in its turn will leave tlm public to judge as to your sincerity m hastening to secure the reappointment.” Of more immediate interest to the public than this little exchange of courtesies is the League’s estimate of the minimum expenditure of a soldier’s wife with one child. It puts food down at £1 Is 9d a week, household 14/6, medicinal Is and clothing 15/3, a total of £2 12s 6d to be drawn from an income of £2 12s 6d without taking rent or insurance into account. THE LICENSING CAMPAIGN.

The leaders of tne prohibition movement who have been conferring in Wellington for some days, have concluded their deliberations without taking "the/ public into their confidence.. They have had interviews of an informal character with the Acting Prime Minister and several other members of the Cabinet, and express themselves as generally satisfied with, the results. They are hoping that a licensing poll will be held at the en<!of the current year,'whether there Is a general elction or not, and they are confident that if ' this should be the case there would be a very large increase in the no-license vote. They reject the compromise of State Control as emphatically as ever and stake all: their cards on national prohibition.