NEWS FROM WELLINGTON.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 17, Issue 59, 27 July 1906, Page 5

NEWS FROM WELLINGTON.

[By Telegraph —Own Correspondent

Wellington, Last Night. 'Mr R. McNab, M.H.R. for Mataura, reached Wellington by the Talune last night, tfter an absence from tbe colony of nearly five months, during which time he visited America, Britain, and Canada, having travelled to England by the San Francisco route and returned by way,,of Vancouver and Australia. The of Mr McNab’s tour was to collect historical information concerning this country and its early trade with America. It is understood that during his researches at Salem, in America, he discovered and made a copy of the original log of the Endeavour, which was wrecked in Puget Sound about 130 years ago. At Washington Mr McNab had the pleasure and privilege of half an hour’s chat with President Roosevelt, principally on Now Zealand legislation, sport, bird life ;and its preservation, and so on. The President was much interested to know what was being done to protect the kiwi, the kea, the weka, and the tuatara lizard, Mr McNab explained to Mr Roosevelt bow New Zealand goes about the creation of National Parks, and tbe success that has attended these efforts; and as Americans at that time were trying to arrange for a park in Southern California the President listened with keen interest and atten- - tion. Mr Roosevelt said he did not think there was any student of political science iin the world who was not closely watching New Zealand politics. He was much interested in the historical work Mr McNab is engaged on, especially when he learned that after finishing his present work Mr McNab intends to write on early American trade. MrMeNab says that in England, politically speaking, they are twenty years behind New Zealand in respect to their views on tbe labour question. Although the Labour Party were so successful at the recent General Election the people do not seem to realise that tbe Party have come to stay and to grow. When Mr Seddon’s death occurred Mr McNab was aboard the Oceanic, crossing the Atlantic, and the news was sent to the ship from Nantucket by wireless telegraphy. The information excited very great interest, especially as there were quite a number of people on the vessel who had been in New Zealand (including one man who was wrecked in the steamer Wairarapa several years ago). Of Canada, Mr McNab saw little except what wais visible on the long railway journey across to Vancouver. It seemed to him that the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, not the Government, own the country. One may not receive a cablegram without calling at the Company’s office for it. At Vancouver there has been a great increase in-laud- values, and things appear very prosperous. There is, however, a great proportion of alien population, particularly Japanese and Chinese, and the latter are largely employed in doing housework. The Premier stated to a press reporter in Oamaru on Monday that nothing could be done in regard to Customs matters till the agreement with the Commonwealth had been laid upon tbe table of the House. Any changes that are suggested are for the relief of taxation and the promotion of the interchange of trade between tbe two countries.

The Native flax which was planted on the Levin Experimental Farm by the Agricultural Department two years ago ,has made fine growth (says tbe Manawatu Farmer)- It is now firmly established and this season should grow more rapidly, and apparently will be fit for cutting in four years from the time of planting. Many of the plants are five feet in height now. The numerous disasters which have overtaken small craft on the New Zealand coast recently have not been altogether disregarded by the Government. The Minister of Marine (Mr HallJones) stated at Christchurch on Saturday that the Government were now arranging that the plans of the small boats built in the colony should be inspected by competent authorities, so as to ensure that the vessels should be constructed on safe lines. The Hon. Colonel Pitt has just returned from Oollingwood. He went there to open & new Post Office, and the residents, who were evidently quite alive to the position, presented him with a gold key as a lasting memento of the occasion.