WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1918, Page 6

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

NEW YEAR APPEALS. COURAGE, DETERMIX AT lON, SACRIFICE. | (Special Correspondent.) Wellington, Jan. 2. Ministers of the Crown in t-hi>' country are not- always happy in tlie sot pieces they prepare for great occasions. The imagination of Mr. Lloyd George, the force of Mr. Botiar Law, the literary grace of Mr. Arthur Balfour are heavenborn gifts rarely vouchsafed to New Zealand statesmen. But in their NewYear messages to the people of the 'Dominion Mr. Massey, Sir Joseph Ward, and, in no less degree, Mr. Arthur Myers, have struck the right notes of courage, determination, and sacrifice that ought to he resounding throughout tlie Empire as it enters upon what we all may hope will be the last stage in the suppression of Frussian militarism and tlie triumphant vindication of justice and freedom. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance obviously realise the magnitude of tlie task before Britain and her Allies more fully than they did three years ago, but their confidence, fortified by knowledge and achievement, remains unshaken, and by its very restraint becomes more reassuring. Their seasonable words ring true, and will give a new impetus to the national effort. STANDARD OP FITNESS. A remarkable feature of the complaints that are reaching the DirectorGeneral of Medical Services in regard to the medical examination of Second Division reservists is that they are coming in about equal numbers from people who hold that the examination is not searching enough, and from people who hold that it is too searching. On one side it is alleged tliat men quite unable to stand the necessary training for service are being sent into camp, and on tlie other that men with only trifling ailments are lining summarily rejected, usually to their own satisfaction. General Henderson, when seen about the matter this morning, said that the fitness or unfitness of a reservist, whether belonging to the First Division or the Second Division, was a question for tlie medical board of tlie particular, district to decide, but he would be prepared to look into any specific case that might be brought j under lus notice. The military authorities wanted every fit man liable to service thai they could secure, but they certainly did not wish to put the country 1 to the expense of enrolling unfit men. " THE POLITICAL PULL. , The discussion of the qualifications and { constitution of the medical boards lias beer, perhaps inevitably, accompanied by suggestions of partiality on the part of some of the medical gentleman serving on these bodies. If half the stories flying about the country are to be credited, it ought not to be diflicult to produce score? of specific cases for General Henderson's personal investigation. But two or three cases that have been looked into independently, without the intervention of tlin Director-General, have proved to be entirely without reproach. One hale and hearty looking man of thirty-five, whose rejection was alleged to be due to a "political pull" he was able to exercise. was shown by indisputable medical evidence to be suffering from a trouble which would not allow him to perform ever, the lightest duties associated with heme service. The average man in this condition is not anxious to advertise his weakness to the world. .LAND FOR SOLDIERS. The Minister of Lands and his advisers seem to have realised at last that after the war one of the greatest services the returning soldiers can render to the country will be in increasing its production of marketable commodities Their early efforts were directed towards the acquisition of large areas of cheap land on which soldiers, with considerable assistance from the State, could raise sheep and cattle in just about the Fame numbers as they are being raised now. "Dear land,'! good land, that is, was out of the question. But constant iteration by men acquainted with the facts and practical demonstration have now satisfied the Minister and the officers of his department that small holdings and intense cultivation offer better chances of success to the returning army of farmers than do broad acres and the casual pastoral life. The members of the Land Purchase Board are now inspecting several blocks .vf land suitable for settlement of this description, and already have acquired one or two admirably adapted for the purpose for which they are intended. INCREASED SHIPPING FREIGHTS. Referring to the increased shipping freights to-day, the Prime Minister said lie realised that the figures would come as something of a shock to many people who were exporting New 'Zealand produce, particularly llax and tallow. The increases were very largo indeed, and when insurances and other charges were added the burden would be a serious one. " the Imperial Government, which had full control of shipping and freights, evidently felt that the increases were necessary. It had to be remembered thai, the voyage to New Zealand was a very long one, and the time of mercantile vessels was becoming more valuable as the war proceeded. The increase, added Mr. Massey, would not afl'ect tlie producers whose products had been bought by the Imperial Government, since the purchases made by the Imperial Supplies Department were on an f.o.b. basis. The Imperial Government, as the buyer, paid the freight. Practically all the privately owned butter had been moved already. There was some consolation to be derived from the fact thr.t the Imperial authorities evidently were maJung efforts to find shipping for all the New Zealand produce. The supply of ships during the month of January promised to be particularly good. He believed, in fact, that the amount of produce shipped within the month vo.ilrt constitute a record.