WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 March 1919, Page 6

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

SAMOA. THE DOMINION'S PAEI (Special Correspondent) Wellington, March 26. Mr. Maeaey's expression of surprise and indignation at the Post having accused him of basing New Zealand's claim to German Samoa upon a "parochial and anti-Imperial absurdity" has brought the inevitable retort from the local evening journal. The editor flings back at the Prime Minister that "New Zealand would never give up to Germany ... an island won by New Zealand's efforts." This is scarcely fair. Mr. Massey has stated that he mentioned the occupation of the island by Dominion trtteps merely incidentally and without any idea of urging it as a claim upon the Imperial authorities and his word ought to be accepted. The incident, however, may serve as a warning to other public men who are prone to talk at large when distributing the credit for winning the war.

THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK. The summary published in the morning papers of the remarks concerning the political outlook made by the Hon. G. W. Russell in Christchurch yesterday has set many tongues wagging on the subject. Usually well informed people predict that a general election will follow quickly upon the return of the party leaders to the Dominion, probably within w couple of months of their landing in Wellington, and that the familiar bones of contention will be revived in much their Old form. It would seem that niembers of both parties have received hints to make ready for an early contest and though no party organisation can be undertaken by Ministers, themselves > without offending against the spirit of the "truce" it is known that many of their supporters are getting their forces together. Possibly an authoritative statement on the subject will be made within the next few weeks.

COST OF LIVING. The wage-earners here are taking heart of grace from the appearance of the Government Statistician before the Arbitration Court. But. for the very excellent work done by Mr. Malcolm Frasar those in authority never would have fully realised how hardly the increase in the cost of living is pressing upon the average working man. Mr. Frnser has put the case in plain figures for everyone to read and the politicians no longer can pretend to he ignorant of the facts. That they have failed to apply any farreaching remedy is a reproach of which they will hear much during the general election. In Wellington in particular exploitation and profiteering have been rampant from the very beginning of the war and the workers, at any rate, will be no more ready to excuse the silence of private members than the inaction of Ministers. WELLINGTON'S BURDEN. &tnt is the principal it JSftktfUL'

Wellington the most costly place of residence in New Zealand. This item of expenditure in the capital city is represented by the inde.v figure 1300, In Auckland the figure is 999, in Christchurch 943 and in Dunedin 889. This means, roughly, that rent is 40 per cent, higher in Wellington than the average in the other three cities. But not content with this, Wellington seeks further pre-eminence. During the war its groceries have advanced from the index figure 1033 to 1673, G1.96 per cent., while Auckland's have advanced from 1001 to 1502, only 50.05 per cent. Groceries, which, of course, cover a wide range of foods, are substantially higher here than tliev are in Christchurch and yet Wellington claims, rightly, to be the great distributing port for all imported goods included in this group. In dairy produce again it is at the head of the list, 100 points above Christchurch, and only in the single item of meat compares favorably with the other centres.