WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 November 1917, Page 8

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE REINFORCED CABINET. MR. WILFORD'S APPOINTMENT. (Special Correspondent). Wellington. Nov, lfl. Tlie appointment of Mr. T. M. Wilford, the memtfer for Hutt, to the vacant seat in the Cabinet surprised 110 one who had watehed the signs and portends that invariably proeeed such events Sir Joseph Ward, as leader of the Liberal Party, really had the selection of the new Agister, though, of course, nominnlly he had to be recommended to the Governor by the Prime Minister, as head nf the Government liv which His Excellency is advised. s*>ir Joseph's choice, however, wis narrowed down to the representatives of the North Island l>v the custom which prescribes that some, sort of relation shall lie maintained between the number of members in the Cabinet, and Die population of the two divisions of the Dominion. With this limitation the Liberal leader was expected to nominate either Sir John Findlay, the late Dr. ItcNab'* successor in the representation of ITawke's Jiiiv, or Mr. Wilford and when the former gentleman made it clear that he would rf.thcr remain in the meantime a friendly critic of the National Cabinet than become,one !>f its members Mr. Wilford's promotion was easy to predict. THE NEW MINISTER.

If Mr. Wil ford's power of self-re-flraint is as great as his ability is marked and conspicuous he will add very materially to the strength of the Cabinet in various directions, lie is young, as politicians go, a student of affairs, a logical debater and, when he cares to adopt the role, an eloquentrspeaker. Ilis professional training, perhaps, lias tended to make him rather a destructive critic than a constructive advocate, but lie has never obtruded his profession upon the House, and he is blessed with ilutt most precious gift of all which is best described by the phrase ''good horse sense." P.ut while recognising his exceptional ability, his tact and his force, some of his friends still are wondering how he is going to reconcile himself to his new conditions and the restraint that will he imposed upon him by (.baring in the responsibilities of a Cabinet that- is frankly '•marking time" and waiting for the war clouds to roll away before attacking the reforms to which he has devoted himself during all the years of his political life. DOMESTIC LEGISLATION.

It eannot be raid of Mr. Wilford that lie lias in any way angled for the distinction that has now been conferred upon him. In almost the last speech he delivered in the. House during the reCent session lie soundly rated the Government for having initiated no eft'ecto their machinations. It certainly was big. Taking the figures which had just previously appeared in this column as his text be strongly urged Mr. Masscv. in his capacity of Minister of Trade and Commerce, to put in motion the provisions, of the legislntioen by which Parliament had hoped to curb the cupidity of the soulless landlord and the greedy trader and shop-keeper. lie showed how "Wellington, in particular, owing to the apathy and indifference of the Government had been cruelly exploited by these rapacious people and called upon the Minister to put an end to thci rniachinations. It certainly was not the kind of speech one would have expected from a member with an eye upon a portfolio within the gift of the Government ho was criticising, but it is to be hoped that in his new sphere he will have an opportunity to urge the views he expressed upon his colleagues.

THE BOARD OF TRADE. From the cost of living to the Board of Trade is an easy transition, even for those disappointed folk who imagined the Board would do a great deal more than it has accomplished in the way of keeping the prices of commodities down. Next to the war the cost of living is the most frequent topic of discussion in this community and is rapidly assuming a sinister aspect for those politicians who seem anxious to thrust it into the background. There are rumors of dissensions in the Cabinet over the question and of protests from the Efficiency Board, as well as from the Board ol Trade, but Ministers have no information for publication, though they continue to quote the fact that New Zealand has cheaper sugar than iias any other country in the world, and the further fact that London prices for butter would justify a much higher local charge for that commodity. There is hopej however, for the long-suffering consumer in the third fact that the Board of Trade is now making a comprehensive enquiry into prices with a view to making fresh recommendations to the Government. This at least will •jive the politicians an opportunity to revise their attitude.