WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1929, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE CHIEF CITIES

AUCKLAND AND WELLINGTON

(Special Corx-espondent.)

WELLINGTON, September 30

Wellington, quite nnturnlly, is pluming itself upon having beaten Auckland iii building activity and expenditure during the first eight months of the (Current year. The official figures of the two big cities of the Dominion show that between January 1 and August 31 the value of buildings for which permits have been issued has reached £1,082,845 in Auckland and £1,375,223 in Wellington, giving the capital city an advantage of £292,376 in expenditure and presumably in value. Last year Wellington spent £2,024,291 in building as against £2,020,833 in the previous year and the authorities of the capital city are careful to record the Ifact that “ no city in New Zealand, other than Wellington, has exceeded the two million building value work for one year.” In this connection, howb ever, It has to be remembered that a few years ago Wellington’s business buildings were less impressive than were those of Auckland and that much of the expenditure has been upon reno.vation and reconstruction.

THE TRIANGULAR. PARLIAMENT. The active opponents of the Government are still hoping that a brearti between the United Party and th,e Labour Party will occur in the near future and so give the Reform Party at least <°n opportunity -to go to the constituencies, again in possession of the Treasury benches. “ Although with Labour’s assistance the- House rejected the Reform proposition to have the effect of the taxing proposal investigated by the Public Accounts Committee and carried the second reading,” savs the “ Dominion;’!’, this morning, “the Prime Minister ’ - may expect further contention and opposition when the Rill reaches the committee stage some time this week.” Of course as a threat from the Reform Opposition this is a very probable forecast—Mr Coates and his colleagues adhering closely to the axiom that “ the duty' of the Opposition is to oppose”—but its iteration and reiteration are not likely to materially affect the strength of the parties in the House. The wish is father to the thought. IF ANOTHER ELECTION.

That Sir Joseph is dependent upon the Labour Party for the passage of his legislation, and, indeed, for his retention of office, goes without saying; but the only feasible alternative to this position is a dissolution and another appeal to the electors. Neither the Reform .Party nor the Labour Party is anxious to enter upon this expedient just now, and if it should become a last resort during the present session it probably would be more disastrous to Reform than to either of the other parties. The mere fact that eighteen of the twqnty-six Reformers sitting in the present'-House-are minority representatives—that is polled fewer than half the votes cast in their constituencies — illustrates the magnitude of the rebuff Mr.‘Coates and his followers suffered last November. At present, in Wellington at any rate, there is no tangible evidence of their having regained their lost ground and their obvious poliev seems to be to wait 'for a definite turn of the tide. MINISTERIAL RESIDENCE. When the Impress Supply Bill was passing' through the House on Saturday morning quite a number of. members protested against the proposal to sell the grounds surrounding the min isterial residence on Tinaksri Road now converted into an establishment for the staff of the Transport Department. Appeals against putting up to auction a spot that had been hallowed by the presence of a succession of Prime Ministers were urged but the most fervid came from members who wanted the property handed over to the city of Wellington that it might raise ferns there or provide a play ground for children. As a fernery the place certainly has textures worth considering. It is damp and shaded from the sun for the greater part of a winter day. But as a play ground for children it is not an attractive proposition, and Sir Joseph Ward in answering the supplicants took this view. Mr Coates refused to be drawn on the subject and the property probably will go to auction.