WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 March 1918, Page 5

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE SHIPPING W. LOOK. BELIEF NOT IX SIGHT. (Special Correspondent.) Wellington, March IS,

During his visit to Foxton on Saturday the Prime Minister referred less optimistically than lias been his wont to the .shipping outlook. He could not promise a speedy improvement in the position, and he implied it might he even worse before it was better. But, of course, he was hopeful. The Government was doing its best, and the Imperial authorities were doing their best, and between them they ought to find a way out of the difficulty. In the meantime the plain duty of New Zealand was to increase its productions in every direction possible and to prepare for the keen competition that would follow upon the conclusion of the war. Business men in Wellington heartily endorse Mr. Massey's appeal to the farmers, but they view with some misgivings the accumulation of stocks in the country, and are discussing quite seriously Captain Whitney's suggestion that some of the vessels now used as coal hulks in the various ports should be re-fitted for sea service. AMERICAN COMPETITION. It is a matter of common talk here that the acute shortage of shipping in New Zealand is largely due to America's entrance into the war and its stupendous efforts to keep its European allies supplied with foodstuffs. A voyage across the Atlantic, even in present conditions is a much less tedious and no more hazardous undertaking than a voyage from Wellington to London,, and in ber present straits the Mother Country must get what she wants from the source that can supply it most quickly. There is no need to take a pessimistic view of this new factor in the position, as both America and Britain are straining every nerve to provide all the shipping required, and if New Zealand suffers some inconvenience and loss from the absence of shipping facilities it must look upon them as part of its share in the ill fortunes of the war. So far, as Mr.' Massey pointed out at Foxton, it has escaped many of the burdens and nil the calamities that have fallen upon other parts of the Empire. RETURNING SOLDIERS. Whether the very, strong language em-. ployed by the Mayor of Auckland in denouncing the inadequacy of tho arrangements made by the military authorities for the reception of the returned soldiers in the "Queen City" on Friday was justified or not, it will be easier to say when the men's own account of their treatment is available. But meanwhile people here are recollecting that on one or two occasions lately there have been loud complaints of unconscionable delays in giving their waiting friends access to the returning heroes. The trouble seems to have arisen from a number of formalities —medical examinations, inspection of luggage, checking of pay-books and so fdrth—being postponed till the transports are alongside the wharf. Sir James Allen has' undertaken to make full inquiry into tho Auckland trouble, and perhaps his investigation will lead to the adoption of saner and more convenient methods. NATIONAL EFFICIENCY BOARD.

The announcement that the National Efficiency Board is about to undertake a thorough investigation of the education system of the Dominion has created a good deal of surprise among people acquainted with the vast amount of more urgent and practical work that remains for members of the board to do. That the education system requires overhauling everyone with knowledge admits, but it has not been supposed the board had any special qualifications for Jiis task. The New Zealand' Times this morning reflects a large volume of Iqeal opinion when it suggests that if the members have tired of the hum-drum duties allotted to thorn by their order of reference they might turn their attention profitably to an investigation of the public service, which in some respects has fallen into a sad state of disrepair under the stress of war. But judging from the reports of some of the district committees, there are less complex troubles throughout the country calling aloud for the healing hand of the board.