WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1918, Page 7

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS. MR H. E. HOLLAND'S CHAMPIONSHEP. (Special Correspondent). Mr H. E. Hollanft cannot be accused of ru3liing in incontinently to the succour of the conscientious objectors. Rather, it would seem, he has delayed making a demand for an enquiry into the allegations concerning the Wanganui Detention Barracks till people employing less spectacular methods than he uses himself have obtained this concession from the Minister of Defence. Of course he has added something to the demand. He wants the inquiry extended beyond the Wanganui Barracks to England and France, and he wants the "fourteen deported men" returned to New Zealand, with all the necessary witnesses, "as a matter of correct policy." But above all he wants publicity. If, however, Sir James Allen opens the promised enquiry to the Press he will find the great mass of pifblic opinion quite content to take one thing at a time.

THE SILVER BULLET. The comparison the Hon. A. M. Myers, the Acting Minister of Finance, drew yesterday between the financial methods of Great Britain and the financial methods of the, Central Powers, which may be taken as the financial methods of Prussia, shows how inevitable is the ultimate triumph of the Allies, flie war has overwhelmed many old economic theories and superstitions, and no one more fully recognises this fact_ than Mr Myers does; but State credit still remains the sheet anchor of the nations, and while Great Britain in this respect remains absolutely unshaken tine Central Powers staking everything on the issue of the war are tottering to their fall. The facts and figures submitted by the Minister prove again that the silver bullet and the inexhaustible credit of the AMies must in the long run overcome all opposition. As a factor in the final decision they are scarcely less potent than our soldiers' splendid feats of arms. THE WOOL PURCHASE. The representatives of the wool producers, who met in Wellington to-dfty to consider the Imperial Government's offer to buy the New Zealand clip for the period of the war and a year after, had no hesitation about accepting the offer. The price is the same as last year, that is, a 65 per cent advance of pre-war prices. The producers are to receive half of any profits made by the Imperial Government on the sale of wool not required for any purposes. The terms were regarded by the conference as satisfactory to tho producers. The discussion that took place was concerned chiefly with the proposal to extend the purchase to a year after the war. The year is to be counted from the June 30 following the cessation of hostilities, and it is likely, therefore, that the agreement will coyer two clips. Mr Lysnar, who is one of the members of the conference, contended that in the interests of the producers the agree* ment should terminate with the declaration of peace. The general feeling of the conference was that even apart from any question of patriotism, the offer of the Imperial Government ought to be accepted. Nobody knows at tho present time what will be the conditions following the w;.r. Prices may soar owing to scarcity; or they may drop owing to exhaustion of the nations. There may be enough shipping to move accumulations of produce and raw materials; or there may be a continued shortage of shipping. The offer means that the New Zealand wool producers will be protected in any case. They will get a good price for their wool and they will not have to worry about shipping. If British prices rise, then tho producers ■will get a share of the extra profit. The Hon. D. G. Guthrie, Minister for Agriculture, stated this evening that he understood from the conference that the offer made by the Imperial authorities had the approval generally of the representatives of the producers. Some points had been discussed regarding the valuation of inferior and seedy wool and crutchings, but the Government had given an assurance that it would try to meet all just claims of the producers in this respect. . It appears that as a result of this conference the wool deal will be completed. This is a matter of importance to the whole country, for the wool will be paid for whether shipped or not, and wool money means a great deal to New Z«aland. SHIPPING PRO9PECTS.

Statements published within the last few days regarding shipping prospects from the point of view of the New Zealand producer have given rise to uneasiness, but in Wellington at any rate the people most concerned are waiting further information before accepting gloomy predictions. The shipping outlook has been bad for the last year or more, but efforts made here and in London have prevented matters reaching a crisis. Mr Masscy, in a cablegram to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce last week, stated.that he was doing everything he could to provide for New Zea-' land produce, but that "nearly the whole of Australian and New Zealand ship 3 are required for urgent war purposes." In other words the most essential work of the moment is the moving of American troops and munitions in France. Last spring New Zealand was able to get a substantial amount of insulated tonnage from Australia But this year Australia will have no tonnage to spare. Some of the Australian stores are full already. The provision of additional storage, both hero and" Australia, canntft proceed much further owing to the practical impossibility of securing refrigerating plant. Extensions in cases where existing liiant will serve enlarged stores are tncre'asingly difficult owing to the in-, creasing scarcity and rising prices of building materials. It is estimated officially that by the end of July the stores in New Zealand will contain <5,000,000 freight carcases of meat. A larf' of this meat will be carrieo jcr-,, into the new season and so will reduce the storage available. One of the matters that has received official consideration, in view of the shipping possibilities, is the advisability of checking the slaughter of lambs in the coming season. The Imperial Government prefers mutton to lamb, and beef to mutton. Nothing will bo done before Mr Massey has secured complete information and clear understanding of the necessities that govern the shipping sit•nation,.