WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16423, 25 April 1919, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

ANZAC DAT. DRAPERS NOT CLOSING. BY TELEGRAPH.-—OWN COBBKBPONDEMti WELLINGTON, April 24. Anzao Day is not being observed as a holiday by all occupations' in "Wellington. The Master Drapers’ Association decided not to observe the day at all, and this action was the subject _ of comment by Mr. Curtayne, secretary of the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association. Mr, Curtayne stated that throughout New Zealand the soldiers, their relatives, and the relatives of the men who have fallen would be amazed at the attitude of the. drapers. At the present stage it might not bq fair to accuse them of having shortlived memories, but the decision did expose those business folk to the charge that they had acted without proper thought. The reason said to have been given for the resolution was that if a full holiday was observed it was likely to degenerate into a day" of amusement and recreation rather than be used for the real purpose of the day; therefore the drapers had, voted for a memorial service on the Sunday nearest April 25. On the same-'prin-ciple the nearest Sunday would be able to take over Good Friday. Ministers of the Crown, Mayors and other responsible public men, have stated their belief that on Anzao Day, which was New Zealand’s great war memorial day, the ordinary business of moneymaking should stop as far as the needs and convenience of the public would permit. In the face of that declaration it was very surprising to read the resolution passed by the drapers. The Returned Soldiers’ Association intends to press for the placing of Anzao Day on the list of statutory holidays. THE POLITICAL SITUATION. An addition to the mass of tion on the political situation was made by the Rev. Howard Elliott at a Protestant Political Association meeting. The statements are given for what ‘ they are worth. “Our Parliament,” said Mr. Elliott, “is in a curious state to-day. The House of Representatives is breaking up; it has jgot senile decay. It is beginning to dissolve into its many component parts, and I suppose every mad, is going to his right place. The Liberal Government is Breaking up and the H6n. G. W. Rusell is forming a party of progressives like the Liberal Party under the leadership of the late Mr. Seddon.” Sir Joseph Ward had been in power for 21 years, and, during that time, tho speaker said, the Roman Catholic Church had stood solidly behind his party. Another political groin> which had Been formed was the New®Zealand Welfare League. Mr. Elliott had another name for this party—“ Rome’s Welfare Party.” “There is then the announcement from Auckland,” continued Mr. Elliott, “of the formation of a party which is said to have very important influence. This is simply a lawyer’s party and we have the names of all its members. They comprise a little section of the Reform Party and it ia suggested that they want Mr. Massey out of polities, and that they want their members to take the' portfolios now held by the Liberal members, which will be lost on the breaking up of the Liberal Party.” There Were also other little parties in the "'jurse of formation, hut none of them could do any more for the country than the previous parties had done.