WELLINGTON TOPICS

Taranaki Daily News, 2 July 1919, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS

im WELFARE LEAGUR A NEW POLITICAL PARTY. (Special Correspondent.) Wellington, June 2S. So far, the publication of the platform of the Welfare League has created no great ferment in the political world. The platform itself is a thoughtful, comprehensive, progressive construction, perhaps soaring a little high above thclieads of the masses, but obviously an honest attempt by earnest men to assist in solving the big social and political problems that are confronting the community at the present t'ime. That they are not politicians of the merely electioneering type may be judged from the .amount of detail with which they have weighted their production, a tactical blunder which has consigned many ntlmr inexperienced fnthusiasts to oblivion. In these days a written policy is no less embarrassing than a written constitution has proved to be on notable occasions, and the less there is of it the better for its authors. It is plain, however, that the Welfare League has ideas and aspirations which arc not inconsistent with its professions, and if it can get the ear of the electors it may yet play a useful part in moulding the destinies of the country.

; PRACTICAL POLITICS. A few days before the Welfare League presented its platform to a somewhat indifferent, public the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. D. 8. Mac Donald, was talking very practical non-party politics jto his constituents at Gisborne. His remarks were devoted largely to land settlement, and aa land settlement is the first essential towards increased production his suggestions in regard to what he called "commercial settlements" deserve greater publicity than they have yet received. In the case of large Mocks, theI report of his remarks runs, "the Governl ment could provide decent road access to I a suitable part of the block, where the [homestead sites could be laid out together and reasonable facilities provided in the wav of education, .post and telegraph, hydro-electric power and other conveniences which would make for the i benefit and enjoyment of those on the land. A large central woolshed and vards could be erected, and these could be worked on co-operative lines-." Here Is rural socialism of the right kind, and Mr. Mac Donald thinks it the sane solution of most of the fanners' troubles.

A DARING REPORT. i If> is understood that the Prime Minister, to whom an outline of the coal report, prepared by the direction of the Minister of Mines, was cabled some I weeks ago, has now approved of the J publication of the document, and that It will make its appearance on Wednesday. The report contains a good deal of controversial matter, including a proposal for the nationalisation of the coal' mines in the Dominion, and it seemed to thsir colleagues necessary to obtain Hie consent of the party leaders before submitting it to the (public for discussion. Probably its character will justify this precaution. It not only suggests the nationalisation of the mines, but also indicates an elaborate scheme for carrying the suggestion into effect and for nvnridin? better housing and living conditions for the miners. It is said to ho t.i*r list (lavhii!' document of the kind ever offered for the consideration of Ministers in this country, and its publication is being awaited with much interest and curiosity.

THE COAL CRISIS IMPENDING FAMINE. Wellington, June 27. By the very narrowest margin on Wednesday evening Wellington escaped having its gaß supply cut off for the night. Owing to the non-arrival of a collier, which should have reached here the day before, the Gas Company was left without a hundred-weight of coal in stock, and it was only through the Railway Department coming to its rescue that it was able to carry on. As it was, between 5 and 8 o'clock, the hours at which the consumption is greatest, it was touch and go whether the mains could be kept charged. The crisis is by no means over. During the last few years there .'has been an immcise increase in the installation of gas cookers and heaters in the city, largely

i.ii n.i'i'n,i;it of the difficulty householders have experienced in obtaining fuel, and till a regular supply of fuel is again assured the position will remain very critical.

THE BOARD OP TRADE'S REPORT. . One good effect of the fright householders suffered on Wednesday, from which they have not yet fully recovered, will be to turn more interested public ciUcvKau to the Board of Trade's report on , the coal industry than' otherwise would ha'ie been the case. Many sanguine people, who had not looked very

"• '■'■ i'lto the subject themselves?, had hoped the board would be able to propound omo scheme that would ensure a regular and abundant supply of fuel forthwith, but of course it attempted.jto do nothing of the sort. Its proposals for safeguarding the country against a recurrence of the present conditions, however," are comprehensive and drastic enough, and if the public take them seriously and back up the Government in a bold, vigorous policy of reform, a vast improvement upon the existing j methods of winning and distributing this .prime necessary of life ought to be , effected. THE ABSENT LEADERS.

Though there 'is no further definite news concerning tlie'Movements of Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward, it is generally expected in official circles that the two Ministers will arrive here about the same time. Sir Jpseph Ward's departure from London, was tentatively jsed for to-day, and if this arrangement U adhered to the Minister of Finance may travel as far as Vancouver in advance of the Prime Minister; but it is thought, they may meet there and come across the Pacific together on the next trip of tiie Niagara. In this case they Rhould bo back in the Dominion early in August, and there should be nothing to prevent Parliament meeting in September. The idea that the session will be a short one, extending over only a few Weeks, is being gradually dissipated, and the expectation now is that both Ministers and private members will do most of their electioneering from, the floor of the House, '.

»DBLIO WORKS. Sir WilliAm Fraser. is a, difficult person to catch in these days, being engaged upon the inspection of various "•iiv'.'s flint may reouire his attention during the session; but Wore leaving