WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 March 1918, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

MINISTERS' TRIP HOME. RETENTION OP SAMOA (Special Correspondent 1 Wellington, Mareli 'I. Last night at tlie congratulatory meeting of Mr. .1. P. Luke's supporters in the recent by-election in Wellington North, Mr. Massey touched upon the approaching ministerial trip Home and emphasised afresh the importance of New Zealand's views in regard to the retention of Samoa being strongly represented to the War Cabinet and the Imperial Conference. The Minister's remarks were not intended for publication, the gathering being a private one and purely of a' social character, but those who were present understood from what was said that Parliament would bo asked during the. short session to strengthen the hands jf the Dominion's delegates with a. strong resolution on the subject. Probably there would be little opposition to the passage of such a resolution, but it is not unlikely Borne disgruntled members of the House will protest against the two party leaders again being away from the country for an indefinite period when, as some of them are saying, one would be well able to do all the business there is to be done. DUAL REPRESENTATION. Ministers have not yet deigned to formally answer criticism of this kind, doubtless preferring to reserve what they have to say till the meeting of Parliament; but in political circles here it is generally recognised that Mr. Massey's presence in London is required as Prime Minister of the Dominion and Sir Joseph Ward's as Minister of Finance. Had Mr. Massey been Minister of Finance as well as Prime Minister, or Sir Joseph Ward Prime Minister as well as Minister of Finance, there might have been no need for the dual representation of the Dominion, but as it is no other satisfactory arrangement seems possible. Mr Massey is going with authority to speak for the Government as a whole and Sir Joseph Ward witlv a knowledge of the Financial problem, in its broad Imperial aspects, that none of his colleagues possesses. The suggestion that the two leaders are leaving together because neither could trust the other in his absence might have had some point a couple of years ago, but to-day it can have none. PUBLIC SERVICE CONTROL. The Hon. J. A. ITanan's remarks at Hamilton the other day concerning the Public Service Commissioners have excited a good deal of comment, varying in tone from. warm approval of tiie. Minister's courage to strong condemnation of his indiscretion. The Commissioners have not been growing in favor in Wellington during the last year or two, which, of course, may be to their credit rather than to their discredit, but it was not expected a Minister of the Crown without consultation with his colleagues would express himself as frankly as Mr. Hanan appears to have on this occasion. There is a suspicion abroad, however, that other Ministers, not all on the Liberal side of politics In former days, are disappointed with commissioner control and quite prepared to return to the old order of tilings. It is stated, indeed, with some color of probability, that a change in this direction will take place directly other provision has been made for the chief commissioner. THE CABLNET. A more disturbing rumor has to do with the strained relations between certain members of the Cabinet,, wbicli were known to exist four or five months ago and now are said to have assumed a more acute form. The "Evening Post" in congratulating Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward upon the loyal and cardial manner in which they hold together throughout the contest in Wellington North, hinted at a less admirable attitude being maintained by their junior colleagues and so set tonsrues again wagging on the subject. The dissensions, such as they are, would seem to he rather personal than political, arising perhaps, out of tlie neglect of some tiny courtesy or consideration which may appear all important when politicians of widely different creeds are banded together for a common purpose. Anyway there is no danger of an envharrassin'" crisis arising. ' The robust common™ sense of its leaders is the saving grace of tlie combination.