WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 March 1919, Page 6

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. A TRIAL OF STRENGTH. (Special Correspondent.) Wellington, March 21. The Wellington municipal elections promise to be of more interest and significance than usual this year. The appearance of Mr Weston, the president of the Employers' Association, as a candidate for 1 lie Mayoralty is regarded by organised labor as a challenge to a trial of strength in the smaller field of politics and it is highly probably the gauntlet will be taken up. The Unions already have put forward a "ticket" for the City Council and would have no difficulty in persuading one of its" champions to undertake the more ambitious enterprise. Their difficulty, indeed, would be to make a choice from eager aspbSmts for the chief magistracy. TROUBLES AHEAD. 1 It is understood the business men of the city are taking an unusual interest in the municipal elections this year because they fear in the near future 1% variety of troubles with Laibor. They do not admit as much ss this, but they confess to being gravely concerned by the restless attitude of many of the workers. The "go slow" policy, they sav. is almost universal along the waterfront in a. greater or less degree, the men are showing less and less respeci for agreements and are seizing upon every possible excuse for demlanditMr more pay. Just how the nominee of the Employers' Association is going to deal with thc : o matters when elected Mavor is not disclosed

LONDON REPRESENTATION. Little has been heard lately, even in the way of speculation, in regard to the future representation of the Dominion in London. The public appear to be taking it for granted that Mr. Massey will fill the position of Resident Minister and the friends of the Prime Minister are taking no trouble to contradict the general assumption. But the story of Sir Francis Bell succeeding Sir Thos. Mackenzie as High Commissioner has been revived, and has obtained additional color during the last day or two from private sources. Sir Francis is the son of one of New Zealand's most capable representatives in the heart of the Empire, and though he lacks the commercial experience of the present occupant of the office his appointment would be entirely satisfactory to the business community. THE COST OF LIVING. It was rumored some weeks ago that the members of the Board of Trade were employed upon the preparation of "a reply" to the statements made by Mr. Justice Stringer, the president of the Arbitration Court, in respect to the cost of living. His Honor, it will be remembered', expressed the opinion that till the Government discovered some means of staying the advance in prices wages would have to go <"i increasing. This implied, of course, that all the Government's efforts in this direction had failed, and the congenial task of answering the criticism was handed over to the Board of Trade and speedily completed. Now, however, Ministers are divided as to the propriety of "talking back" to a King's judge, and it seems at the moment that those opposed to such a proceeding are in the majority.