WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15130, 26 January 1917, Page 5

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE WHEAT PROBLEM. STILL UNSOLVED. (From Our Special Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, January 24. The long-drawn-out. discussion over the wheat ■ problem is still proceeding. A month ago the Acting Minister of Industries and Commerce had practically made up his mind that the guaranteed price to the farmers for the course of the war and for a year after: its conclusion was to be 5s a bushel. ' Then the Board of Agriculture appeared on the scene and .obtained 1 a conference with the Minister and the Board of Trade which resulted in the whole question being reopened. Exactly what hae happened since is only a matter Of speculation. It is known that a proposal was submitted to Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward in London, and it is believed that they inclined rather to fjfi© view of the Board of Agriculture than to that of the Board of Trade. The Minister has promised an official announcement on the subject this week, but the public has ceased to expect any arrangement that will make for a material reduction in, the price of bread. INTERNED GERMANS. It is reported, unofficially of course, that there was no jubilation among the Germans interned on Somes Island when those among them over forty-five years of age were informed the other day that they were at liberty to arrange through the Consul-General of the (Jnited States for steamer passages from New Zealand to their own or some neutral country. The concession is offered under the agreement between the Imperial Goyernment and the German Government for the interchange of civilian prisoners beyond military age, but it is not expected that many of the Germans detained in New Zealand will display any burning desire to return to the Fatherland under existing conditions. Some .of them already have indicated that they would rather remain in the Dominion as prisoners than make their appearance ,in Berlin as free men. Just whether they should be allowed the choice or should be packed off willy-nilly is perhaps an open question, )mt the Government is not likely to deny its hospitality-to enemy subjects who prefer watchirig the course of the stupendous struggle from this end of the world. THE BOARD OF TRADE. This morning the New Zealand Times makes a violent attack upon the Board of Trade in which it displays a curious ignorance of the constitution and functions of that body. “It is refreshing to learn,” it says, “that the Board -,of Trade has at last determined to make an effort to justify its existence and to compensate the people in some measure for the money it is costing the country.” - Having refreshed itself in this fashion, it holds up the “fat salaries and travelling expenses” of the members of the Board to the execration of the nublio and denounces the Board itself for “shuffling with the retail butchering business and inviting the applause of the country for a futile and stupid proceeding.” There is only tine way; the Times says, by which the consumer can bo given relief and that is by fixing the •maximum price. But this, it declares, “the Government and the Board of Trade dare not do.” Hie indictment may stand gaaiijst the Government, but the Board of Trade again and again has recommended maximum prices. Beyond this it lias up authority to go—no opportunity to exercise its daring—and yet it has saved the country many thousands of pounds by its timely intervention. ELECTORAL REFORM. It would seem from the cablegram published this morning that the statement made by the Daily Chronicle concerning the recommendations of the Parliamentary Conference at Home was incorrect, hot because it credited the speaker and his colleagues with having gone further than they had done along the road of electoral reform, but because ifc v did not represent. the whole of the distance they had travelled. This, at any rate, is the conclusion local enthusiasts are drawing from the announcement that the conference has decided in favour of female suffrage. If it has done this, they argue, it is perfectly safe to assume it has declared for proportional representation and the other reforms mentioned in last week’s message. The report of the Conference is of special interest in New Zealand because it provides a striking answer to the convention that domestic legislation should not be attempted during the course of the war. In this respect it is likely to be much quoted during next session of Parliament. ■