WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1917, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE VACANT SEAT. If this really is Sir John's attitude towards the honor public opinion would have thrust upon hiin—and on that point there appears to be very little doubt—the suggestion of filling the vacant seat on the Cabinet will again beco'me one of wide interest. Before Sir John's election the names of several members were mentioned in connection with the appointment—those of Messrs G. VV. Forbes, T. K. Sidey, W. A. Voitcli, H. Poland, and R. MeCallum among them—'and immediately upon his return Sir Joseph Ward, who lias insisted all along on equal'party representation, will have to make a selection. No salary will be attached to the office, as the law provides for only ten paid Ministers, and Mr. Hunan has succeeded to Dr. McNab's place on tho Civil List, but it will carry certain allowances and perquisites which will prevent it being a serious burden to its occupant.

DOMESTIC LEGISLATION. Though members of the House are as eager as ever to give the National Government loyal and hearty support in carrying out their financial and military proposals, a growing number of them are beginning to feel that matters not immediately associated with the war should receive some attention this year. The present Parliament has done practically nothing towards solving any of •the domestic problems' which were discussed during the general election held five months before the commencement of hostilities, and private members, except by silence and ty ready acquiescence with the war proposals of the Government, have had 110 opportunity to justify themselves in the eyes of their] constituents. Most of them are pledged to urgent reforms which they have had scarcely an opportunity to mention in the House, and naturally they are not looking forward very complacently to the time when they will be asked what they have been doing during the last two years. «