TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8215, 20 August 1906, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

Apropos the Hon. ivlr MoNab's statement concerning certain offers and intentions of offers in regard to Cabinet reconstruction on the part of the late Mr Seddon, a correspondent of the Lyttelfcon limes reoordß a talk he has had with the Lion. C. H. Mills. Mr Mills first of all contradicted emphatically the report going about that he had refused Mr Seddon's request to resign. He did point out that the Government was stronger than ever by the popular vote and he offered if it seemed the right thing to Mr Seddon for the strengthening of hie Cabinet, that he would resigu either there and then (this was in February last), or at the end of the financial year, or at any other time Mr Seddon chose to say, but if the time so fixed was l before the session be would ia that case resign his seat as well, in justice to bis constituents who, having elected him as a member of the old Cabinet, ought to have the chance of putting some one else Into the House. With the old Cabinet going on uuder the old head it was resolved that the retirement should take place at the end of the session. Here the matter would have ended in due course. 'lhe death of Mr Seddon preuipitated matters. As to resigning his membership now, Mr Mills points out that the case is different. There is t« new Government; therefore be will not resign.

Signor Bragato, the Government Viticulturist, has arrived ;lo Wellington for the purpose of conferring with the new Minister for Agriculture, Hon. R. McNab, relative to various important matters. The vine cuttings which Signor Bragato obtained from Italy recently are to bo drafted on to American stock at the viticultural station at Arataki, tJawke's Bay, % with the objeot of distributing throughout the colony vines suitable for producing the finest table grapes. The Government tixpert states that the consumption of iVew Zealand wine is increas ing, the demand being greater than the supply. At the present time there is about £2,000 worthof wine in the cellar at Waeranga, in the Waikato, and an offer for the whole of it has been reoeived from one firm. Signor Bragato is anxious to see unfermented wine plaoed upon the JVew Zealand market, as he is convinced that it will find a ready sale at a remunerative rate. The wine is tbo pure juice of the grape, and, being sweet, is much sought after by people who do not care for dry wines. If the department approves of his idea the manufacture of unfermented wine will be started at the Government stations next soasou.

It is not unlikely that some changes in regard to defence matters may be brought forward at an early date, says the Wellington correspondent of the Ofcago Daily Times. On being questioned on the subject the Minister of Defence, the lion. A. Pitt, said that he oould not at present state what changes would be proposed, but that oertain proposals would probably be submitted to Parliament before the end of the s«asion. The recommendations made by the Commandant, General Babingfcon, in regard to various matters would, he said, be taken into consideration. Asked whether the Government had done anything iu rogard to the appointment of a BUooessor to General Babington, whoao term will expire in October, Mr Pitt replied in the negative. "Will there be an interregnum between the time of the present Commandant leaving and thn appointment of h s successor?" the Minister was u9ked. "As to that 1 cannot say," be replied. "Nothing has yet been decided upon."

The men of Oolonel Younghusband's Tibetan expedition, though tbey could scarcely olaim to have beeu "the first who ever burst" into the mysterious city of Lhaasa, are likely (says the London Tribune) to be for souie time the last to have done so. Mr Morley stated on July sth that permission to enter Tibet had been refused to private travellers and agentb of the Geographical Societies, justifying the action of the Government on the ground that "even geography must wait for the requirements of political convenience." Mr

Morley'a happy excursion into aphorism is stroDgly reinforoed by sentiment, which is moat distinctly on the side of Tibet's isolation. When the expedition of 1911* was decided on, many who cared nothing for the political issues at stake regretted .that all the romance connected with the inaccessible and self-suffic-ing country should be vanquished by science in the shape of a theodolite.

It is anticipated by some politicians that although the coming session will be verjp short it will not be a merry one. The probability is, they say, that the Premier will present matters in such a businesslike manner that membeis will fall into line readily for the expedition of business. As th« Premier has previously proved that he is no lover of late sittings, it is expeotei that "the midnight oil" will no longer be wasted. "It is not a talkative Ministry," remarked on« legislator, "and therefore we will have work instead of harangues." One of the questions that is still in the air, and for Tshich an answer continues to be sought, is: "Will the Government acquire the Manawatu Railway in the immediate future?" The views of Sir Joseph Ward, now that he ia the Prime Minister, and of the new Minister of Railways, Hon. W. HallJones, upon this subject are being looked for with interest, and the further question is raised: "Will any proposal on the matter b Ol included in the new Ministry's policy?" An affirmative answer is looked forward to.