WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 March 1917, Page 5

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE LIBERAL PARTY A QUESTION OF LEADERSHIP. (From Our Own Correspondent). Wellington, Mnreh 7. Tlie general assumption that the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald had succeeded to the acting-leadership of the Liberal Party lias impelled the Hon. G. W. Russell, who stood next to the late Dr. McNab in order of precedence, to inform the newspapers that no official appointment had been made to the position. Doubtless the popular impression that the. Minister of Agriculture had been promoted was due to the fact that he was commissioned to visit the Hawke's Bay constituency when the vacancy in its representation in Parliament occurred and took a foremost part in commending the selected Liberal candidate to the electors. It seems now that the party is loaderless, except for the control Sir Joseph Ward can exercise from London, and that when Sir James Allen, the acting-leader on the other side, wishes to ascertain the Liberal view of any particular question he 'must invite the whole of Sir Joseph's, colleagues to meet him. The arrangement does not strike the outsider as jhe most convenient that could be devised, but perhaps it is the only one that is possible in the circumstances. FINANCE. , As it happens, the Hon. A. il. Myers b the Minister holding the more imnortant of Sir Joseph Ward's portfolios, and he very naturally, might aspire to the leadership; but he dismisses any suggestion of the kind in the most 'peremptory fashion. "This is not the time to be talking about preference and precedence," he said this afternoon when the subject was mentioned to him. "Our present business is to win the war and to win it as quicklv as we can, and w.i are doing our best towards that end.' 1 The Acting-Minister of Finance certainly is doing his part uncommonly well, as the statement of the public accounts he issued yesterday bears witness. The revenue and expenditure, of course, are largely matters of taxation in one case and of Parliamentary authorisation in the other, but Mr. Myers has presented the accounts with such commendable promptness and with' such admirable clearness that no one can doubt the ability and zeal with which he Is discharging his trust. HISTORICAL RESEARCHES. Great as were his services to New Zealand as a politician, probably Dr. McNab will be best remembered by posterity as an historian. Right up to.the last days of: his fata! illnes he was busyinf himself with the mass of material ho had collected for the completion of what he was. pleased to call his life's recreation and what a less devoted and conscientious student and collector might have regarded as a very arduous life's toil. He has left behind him notes and m.'irtuserips, the fruits of years of labor and ungrudging expenditure, which could not be replaced now even if another man with the necessary qualifications and equipment were forthcoming to look for them. Presumably this priceless material is now in the hands of the Public Trustee, and in clue course will pass on to the doctor's surviving relatives. But there is a widespread feeling here that it should be acquired by the State and entrusted to some. capable person for the completion of the great work the deceased politician and author had in hand. The matter is being brought under the notice of Ministers, and it is thought Parliament, even in war time, would readily make the necessary provision for carrying the idea into effect.