WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 May 1917, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

TELEGRAMS |

THE POLITICAL SITUATION. THE SESSION AND ITS WORK. (Special to “Stab.”) WELLINGTON, April 30. ' It is being generally assumed in political circles now that Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward will return to the Dominion a fortnight or so before the opening of Parliament, and that they will bring back with them sufficient work, more or less closely connected with the war, to keep the House and Council busy fur the usual three or four months. The actingPrime Minister and the acting-Ministcr of Finance have seized several opportunities lately to prepare the public for another Loan Hill and for largely increased taxation, hut these measures are not likeIv to occupy much time iu passing through all their stages. There is plenty of money available, and the public is quite willing it should be employed in winning the war. Of course, there will be some difference of opinion in regard to the incidence of the taxation, but it is expected the new proposals will meet most of the objections urged against the legislation of last year. DOMESTIC LEG ISLATTON. Though members of the House are as eager as ever to give the National Government loyal and hearty support in carrying out their .financial and military proposals, a growing number of them are beginning to feel that matters not immediately associated with the war should re- 1 ccive some attention this year. The present Parliament has done practically no- '

thin" towards solving any ot the domestic' problems which were discussed during the general election held five months after the commencement of hostil’tles, and private members, except bv sdence and by re-ole nequit'seenee with the war proposals of the Government, have had no onnuriunity to justify themselves in the eves of their constituents. Most of them are pledged to urgent reforms which they have led scarcely an opuorluuily to mention in Hie Tf'-nse, and naturally they afe not I iol'iiig forward verv complacently to the time when they will be asked what they have been doing during the last two years. THE MIXISTUV. ft was generally thonprht when Sir John Findlay was induced to contest the Hawke's Bay seat that, in the event of bis election, he Would be offered a seat ill the Cabinet. Far as Sir Johu-s political enthusiasm had carried him in the way of personal sacrifice, no one expected him to assume responsibilities that would seriously interfere with his lucrative practice at ' the bar, with no prospect of playing a greater part in the administration of the affairs of the country than is assigned to a private member. But it seems now that Sir John has no desire to join the National Government, that be would prefer, indeed, to remain outside the Cabinet, and to be free, while giving Ministers his most coid'al support in their war measures, to offer them his advice and even criticism in regard to a number of other matters which iie thinks should lie, dealt with by the present Parliament. THE VACANT SKAT, If this really is Sir John's attitude to-

wards the honor public opinion won'd have thrust upon him—and on that (joint there appears to he very little doubt—the question of filling the vacant seat in the Cabinet will again become one of wide interest. Before Sir John’s election the names of several members were mentioned in connection with the appointment—those of Mr G. Vv. Forbes, Mr T. K. Sidev, Mr W. A. Veitch. Mr H. Poland. and Mr P. McCallnm among them—and immediately on his return Sir Joseph Waul, who has insisted all along on equal party representation, will have to make a selection. No salary will be attached to the office, as fhe law provides for only ten paid Ministers and Mr Hanan lias succeeded to Dr McNab's place on the Civil List, but it will carry certain allowances and perquisites which will prevent it being a- serious burden to il s occupant.