WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 February 1917, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE HAV/KES BAY SEAT. j SIR JOHN FINDLAY WITH- ; DRAWS:- , (Special to “Star.”)

' WELLINGTON, February 19. Sir John Findlay’s refusal to contest, the Hawkes Bay seat in succession to Dr.. McNab after discovering Hire political temper of the, constituency has disappointed but nof surprised bis intimate friends. He made it plain from the first that be bad no personal desire to re-enter politics just now, and that it was only at the urgent request of, the leaders of the Liberal party he bad • consented to offer bis services to the electors. In these circumstances when he found half-a-dozen, local * .Richmonds in the field anxious to step into Dr. McNab’s shoes, each receiving a certain measure of support, be felt justified in withdrawing from - a contest which seemed likely to be decided on much less exalted issues than the ones he had contemplated J+ was thought Hawkes Bay would be sufficiently patriotic . in war time, to forego local representation for a session or so in order to put in Parliament a gentleman who would have given the Administration invaluable .assistance in the present crisis, but apparently the self-abnegation of flic constituency was somewhat overrated.

' RK-ARRANGED PORTFOLIOS. f It is generally supposed that tlie announcement of tli e rearrangement of portfolios mode necessary by the death of Dr Moriah was withlield in the ex 7 pectation that Sir John Findlay would be returned fordhe Hawkes Bay seat and be available for a place in the Cabinet. This, however, is scarcely the case. Ho doubt if Sir John hall been elected to the House he would have been Invited to join the National Government, and probably be would have taken some of the departments administered by Dr McNab. But the re-arrangement was not held in suspense pending the result of the election. It was made more than a week ago on the ‘ lines announced on Saturday, and Mr W. D. S. MacDonald was formally recognised as the representative of Sir Joseph Ward during his absence, which means, of course, that the Minister of Agriculture is acting leader of _ the Liberal party in the meantime. The appointment ' appears to be giving general satisfaction to the local Liberal members .. of the House, and Mr MacDonald’s successful intervention in the waterside trouble at Napier suggests that it will not be unacceptable to the Labour party. WHEAT AND BREAD. A mild sensation has been occasioned here by the announcement that brenll will be raised, from lOd to Jld for the 41b h delivered, from to-day, and the Acting Minister of Industries and Commerce has directed Mr J. R.* Hart,, the only member of the Board of Trade remaining in Wellington, to investigate the position. Mr MacDonlad has expressed surprise , at the increase being made, seeing the master, bakers had agreed l that the price of bread should be governed bv the price of flour. The price of flour had been fixed at £ls per ton, and at this rate the price of bread should not exceed Bkl per loaf over the counter or lOd delivered. Even with flour at £lO a ton. these ’prices should hold good under the agreement, as the Minister understood if, and Mr Hart’s report is awaited with considerable curiosity and interest. The ultimate remedy for the trouble would be the suspension of the duty on- flour, but Mr MacDonald is. not inclined to take this step' before the result of the harvest is definitely ascertained. LABOUR AND MILITARY SERVICE.

Reports from the country are emphasising the inconvenience and loss being 1 suffered by dairy farmers and others by the growingl scarcity of labour following upon the withdrawal of men from military service. How acute the position is in the Wairarapa may be judged from the fact that Sir Walter Buchanan and other.large landowners have been compelled to take up duties.they formerly entrusted to working foremen, while smaller owners have_ been driven to reducing their milking herds and abandoning all ab- . solutely necessary operations about theft 1 holdings. On some farms the wives'and daughters- of the holders are taking the place of the hired help that cannot, he obtained, and it seems likely still further demands -must be- made upon female labour. It is understood the Government has some scheme of , relief in preparation, butvso far its precise nature lias not been revealed arid predictions of a great decline in production are beginning to take on. the -appearance of probability.