WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 February 1917, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE AVI-lEAT PROBLEM. • (From Our Own Correspondent..) \ Wellington, Feb. 2. Comparatively few North Island fanners arc inking'more than a languid intercs. in the efforts of the Aeting-Mbl-ister of Industries and Commerce-to fix 'he price of wheal for the period of the war. but those men in the Rangitikei and Yianawatu districts who have made a practice of putting a few acres under crop each year declare that with wool and meat- and butter at their present prices no guarantee under 5s Gd a bushel would induce them to extend their present" areas. They show on paper plainly enough that at ruling rates for labor and products grass is much more remunerative than crop. Wheat, they admit, would pay will at ss, or even at less, but it would not pay as well as butterfat does and its production would be attended with much more risk. Apparently Mr. Mac Donald must look to the South Island farmers for the practical patriotism that would express itself in a largo increased supply of foodstuffs.

THE REINFORCEMENTS. Tt- is highly gratifying to find Excellencythe (Jovcrnor .still able to commend each successive Reinforcement as it approaches the completion of its training as the best lie hits'had the pleasure of inspecting. He paid this pretty tribute to the Twenty-seconds the other day on the eve of their march across the Rinmtakas to Featlierston. and from all accounts of the appearance and bearing, of the men it was well deserved. Hut in some other respects the machinery of the military system is not running, just as smoothly as could be desired. The MinisteV of Defence has exercised the utmost patience and forbearance with the balloted men who have not responded in the prescribed way to the country's call, but there still arc hundreds of them who have not yet reported themselves to the. military authorities. These men have rendered themselves liable to very severe penalties, and unless they hasten to repair their omission they may lind themselves 111 aa extremely unpleasant position. OVERWORKED MINISTERS. The prolonged absence of Mr. Mnssev mid .Sir Joseph Ward from the Dominion is placing a very severe strain upon flit' members of the Cabinet who have taken up the bulk of their ministerial d'.itio and it is not surprising the additional strain is beginning to tell on osine ol these "willing horses." Dr. McNab's ill n< s-; has proved much more serious and tiiorc- protracted than was expected at first. Mr. Myers, though sticking to his post and making light of his lively iiiileased burdens is in the hands of the doctor- and Mr. Mac Donald is nuking huge drafts upon a large l'esorve of physical strength. Mr. Allen, perhaps the hardest, worked of the lot, seems to have developed Mr. Seddon's powers of endurance. but with the demands of leadership added to the responsibilities of Defence administration he is .carrying a lead which no man could bear indefinitely v.itli impunity. The war has largely increased the labors of all the Ministers and if, as appears likely, the party leaders-remain away for another three or four months some means will haw to lie devised for relieving the worst of the sutl'crers.