WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 May 1919, Page 7

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

SOLDIERS' LAUD SETTLEMENT. CANDID CRITICISM.

(From Our Special Correspondent.) Wellington, May 23. The deputation of business men and farmers which waited upon the Hon. I). H. Guthrie in Palmerston North the other day to protest against the dilatory methods and -faulty judgment of the Land Purchase Board appears to have made more than a passing impression upon the Minister. The deputation was able to show that the board, through no lsick of deliberation, lnul "turned down" a number of desirable properties and had acquired others quite unsuitable tor the class of settlement the Legislature had in view. It suggested, as a safeguard against this sort of thing in the future, that the board should be abolished, that its functions should be taken over by the land board in each district, and that the latter body should have the assistance in this department of its administration of an advisory committee consisting of local business men and practical farmers.

RATTLING THE DRY BONES. Before this very radical change in the land purchase system can be made legislation will be required, and meanwhile the Minister will have to do the best he can with the existing machinery. But Mr. Guthrie is not at all dismayed by the position. It is not likely that when Parliament meets for the short session before the general election it will be inclined to undertake an exhaustive review of the land laws of the country,, but it might be trusted to endorse any amendment of the regulations that would facilitate soldier settlement along safe and effective ines. As the law stands the chairman of the Land Purchase Board is absolutely supreme in Imb own sphere, having power to override the recommendations of valuers, boards and Ministers alike, but the present occupant of the office is long past the retiring age, and probably would be glad enough to tranfer some of his responsibilities to the land boards and the proposed advisory committee.

THE LIBERAL PARTY.

DECLARATION- OF INDEPENDENCE. _ Wellington, May 20. The Liberal Party's declaration of independence is regarded from widely different standpoints by the three local papers, each of them, of course, viewing it with its own party and political predilections. The New Zealand Times in it fresh evidence of the loyalty, virility and solidarity of the party and rejoices over the readiness of the Liberal Ministers and their followers in placing the welfare of the country before any personal advantage they might obtain from a continuation of the coalition compact. The Dominion, on the other hand, more in sorrow than in anger, thinks it especially undesirable that the party should "oppose obstacles to that union of all progressive elements which, by most people, is considered essential in the national interests"; and the Post regrets that "dissensions and difficulties" between the two old parties will provide the rising power of an enthusiastic and well-organised Labor Party with a unique opportunity. PUBLIC OPINION, As with the papers, so with the public. There are people who are welcoming the prospect of the resumption of party activities in the belief that it will quicken the political life of the country laid improve its legislation and administration, and there are others,' deploring the certainty of strife and turmoil being resumed. Just on which side the greater weight of opinion lies it would be difficult to say. That there is very widespread dissatisfaction with the National Government there can be no possible doubt. Its very constitution has made this inevitable. Composed of politicians, equally balanced, disposed to pull in different ways on many vital questions, no material progress could be made and this is now being counted to the discredit of the Cabinet as a whole. The peril from the Labor Party seems to be the only bond of union.

MR RUSSELL'S ATTITUDE. The absence of the Hon. G. W. Russell, the Minister of Internal Affairs, from the Liberal caucus at which the declaration way made naturally has given rise to a great deal of comment. The explanation of his absence offered in the official report of the proceedings was that he Was engaged at a meeting of the Health Board, but that was altogether insufficient to satisfy public curiosity. The truth is that Mr RutseU excused himself on the ground that he did not think the determination of the party should' be made till the party leaders returned to the Dominion and were; prepared to give their followers a lead. He did not for a moment wish to pose as having a finer sense of propsietry than his colleagues had, but tliiy was his view and in the circumstances he preferred to abstain from subscribing to the- declaration. Hi» action was in no' way flue to any-weakening in his. adherence to Liberal principles. THE ACTING LEADER.

The Hon. W. D. S. the Acting leader of the Liberal Party, wlica. Been to-day taid that at present ha no wish to add anything to the official report of the proceedings at tho Or to offer any comment upon Mr liasBell's attitude He miglit explain, however, if explanation were necessary, that the caucus was held with tho full approval of the leader of tho party, who was aniioiu! that his supporters should understand exactfy- where they stood 1 - iib regard to the approaching election 'w&icin could not tie indefinitely postponed. Tbe-i resolution adapted by the members off the party' wwdd make no difference afc &11 in thair loyalty to tho party truce so long as it remained in operation, or to their cardial relations with the Mittfstera and pmate, members who in the natural course of things would become ttw'r political opponents. It was as onteh in ftwsaasa l to these gentlemen,,i»-. 'fleei, as in justtee to themselves flat they had frankly expressed their intentien*\