NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1916, Page 3

NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL

WHO IS THE "DISTINGUISHED VISITOR?" A CONUNDRUM FOR THE PUBLIC, THE BOARD OF TRADE FARCE I , (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Jan. 20. The Prime Minister returned from Auckland to-day. His trip to the north is known to have been connected with the presence in Auckland of a distinguished visitor whose name, for military reasons, may not be mentioned by the newspapers. It is understood ilia't an important conference has taken place in the northern city, but Mr. ■ Massey has nothing to say upon the subject at this juncture.

The appointment of the members of the Board of Trade, to be constituted under the Cost of Living Act of last year, Ims been one of the questions on the Cabinet order paper since November? but the Board has not yet come into existence. There is reason to believe that the matter has been discussed and that the Ministers comprising the National Cabinet have failed to reach an agreement regarding the manner and nature of the appointments. It will be remembered that a serious attempt to deal with the cost of living problem was one of the conditions laid" down by the leader of the Opposition when negotiations for the formation of the National Government were in progress. The existence of this provision in the agreement was mentioned later both by Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. Massey. When Sir Joseph Ward, as Minister for Finance, was introducing the Budget in the House of Representatives, he said: "It is the intention of the Government to take measures to remove any abuses that may exist, and to prevent any person taking advantage of the conditions associated with the war to trade upon the necessities of the people. The object will be to ensure that the cost of the food, clothing and shelter of the people is in no way unduly or artificially increased." Later Sir Joseph Ward introduced the Cost of Living Bill, which was placed upon the Statute Book. But that Act, for all practical purposes, remains inoperative until the Boaril of Trade is constituted. There is no doubt that the Liberal section of the National Cabinet is displeased with the delay that has taken place over this matter. ' Your correspondent has gathered that a decision regarding the appointments cannot be much further delayed.