WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1917, Page 6

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE LOAN. A-GRATIFYING SUCCESS. (Special Correspondent). Wellington, Sept. 5. The success of the second war loan litis exceeded tlie expectations of even Hie Minister of Finance, -whose lighthearted optimism approaches very nearly to the faith that moves mountains and accomplishes other incredible miracles.. Sir Joseph Ward never doubted the twelve millions he asked for would be fully subscribed. He had that much in view when he issued his prospectus But \he response of the small investor and the comparatively small investor, the custodians of the "country's patriotism, was beyond his most sanguine calculations. XaU-rally, he is gratified and elated. With four or five millions beyond his immediate requirements in hand, lie lias no fear for the success of the further loan to be raised later in the financial year. The position is assured and doubly assured. Congratulations are pouring in upon Sir Joseph and his colleagues from overseas, and it is pleasant to think of the impression this manifestation of the patriotism and steadfastness of the Dominion has created in Berlin. It is a proud day for New Zealand. THE SESSION WORK. The political machine is running so smoothly to-day—in view of the success of the loan, no doubt—that Ministers are professing to see no reason why the session should not end in the second week in October. But probably in their elation they are a yttle too sanguine. The committee stage and the third reading of the Finance Bill seem likely to occupy the whole of the present weelc, and after these are out of the way there will be the Liquor Bill to provoke a good deal of feeling and a vast amount of talking. It is a very short measure, merely an amendment of the War Regulations relating to hotel hours, but it is a highly controversial one, and l6bby gossip suggests that the debate will run into several Jays. Both sides, or perhaps one should say all sides, predict that the Government's proposal, whatever it may be. will be carried in the end. but this prospect will do little to stem the flow of irresponsible oratory. MORE TO COME. The work of the session will not he over when (lie Liquor Bill has been sent to the Legislative Council for formal endorsement. There will remain the Expeditionary Forces Bill, containing the Government's proposals for dealing with the Second Division men, perhaps a Gaming Bill, and at least half a dozen other Government Bills of more than passing importance. One day at least will have to be given to private members' Bills, of which there are a number on the Order Paper, hopelessly buried, it would appear, beneath Mr. Sidey's perennhl Daylight Saving Bill. Then there arc the Estimates, which will afford opportunities for airing all kinds of grievances, and might even produce a vote of no confidence, and the Public Works Statement, the report of the Cost of Living Committee, and a host of minor matters. In normal times such a programme would not be completed in two months, and even in these days it is difficult to see how it is to be disposed of in four or five weeks. COST OF LIVING. The Cost of Living Committee is working long and tedious hours, and is obtaining a great amount of useful information from a small army ot witnesses. The members are taking their duties very seriously, as well they might do, hut it will not be surprising if the burden of their report is a complaint that they were appointed too late. Had the Government seen a little further ahead at the beginning of the war it might have done a good deal to keep down the prices of the necessaries of life. The whole of the produce of the Dominion might have been requisitioned by the Government at prices which would have more than -atisfied the consumers and been more advantageous to tlie consumers. There would have been less talk of war profits, and probably less uncertainty about shipping. But the opportunity was allowed to pass. Production is now proceeding on a war basis, many farmers having paid war prices for their stock, and even for their land, and the public seem doomed to pay war rates for their food. YET POSSIBLE. If its order of reference is wide enough, however, the committee even yet may do something to lighten the burden of the wage earner. Certain articles in common use belonging to the drapery and grocery groups, have been advanced in price out of all proportion to the cost to the importer and the retailer. Careful enquiries have shown that goods which have been raised only 5 or 0 per cent, in the wholesale houses have been raised 20, 30 and even 50 per cent, in the shops. Further proof of this is provided by the figures supplied by the Government Statistician. Groceries are from 10 to 12 per cent dearer in Wellington than they are in Auckland, Christehurch and Dunedin. They are slightly dearer in the capital city than they are at Taihape, where the transit charges must be enormously greater. This, surely, is an anomaly, to say the least of it, for which the committee might suggest a remedy.