WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 December 1917, Page 5

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

GRIEVANCE OF THE 33rda. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Dee. 25. Many of the men of the 33rd Reinforcements are feeling that they have been treated with unnecessary lack of consideration in regard to tHe Christmas holidays. They were told originally that owing to certain arrangements that had been made th,*y would not be able to have any leave after December 24. They protested that they ought to be allowed to have Ohristma® day with their families before Tjhe contemplated move, and they went to the length of making- a little demonstration on the subject in camp. But the authorities were Arm. At least the official replies wer& firm, while camp rumor had it that the presence of | the men would not be required on ■Christmas day after all, The 33rda hear/l on Sunday that their leave was to be extended until the 2Mb, but they did not get the official announcement until yesterday, and to-day there are in Welling-, ton many soldiers who have missed what may be the last chance of having a Christmas dinner with tlieir own people. WILL DEFENCE MINISTER GO TO ENGLAND? Sir James Allen is reported to have said at Dunedin that "so far as he'knew he was not going to England next year," It seems improbable that any definite-ar-rangement has yet been made for New Zealand's representation at the next meeting of the War Cabinet. The date of the meeting has not been faed. But one gathers here that the -Minister for Defence is likely to b<? chosen. The Prime Minister lias stated that he will not leave New Zealand again until the end of tlie war is reached, and Sir Joseph Ward is not likely to go alone.

CHRISTMAS TRADE. Christ-mas trade iu Wellington is generally reported to have been very good. Retailers in all branches of trade have (lone well, and the volume of business in some lines has-been almost phenomrlial, despite the high prices. Tfcere has been no indication at all of a shortage of money in the community or of an inclination to economise. That, at least, is the opinion of a dozen w"uo were questioned on the point by your correspondent.