WELLINGTON TOPICS

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13896, 23 October 1918, Page 6

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE WAR NEWS. WELLINGTON KEEPS ITS HEAD. (Special Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Octolier 21. Though Wellington is the political capita' and the chief military centre of the Dominion, it is not losing its head over the sensational war news of the last few days. It rang its hells and waved its Bn^s —a little prematurely some people thought—when Marshal Foch began his offensive on the Western front, and rang and waved when ho achieved some minor measure of success; but now that he has practically the whole of the German armies in retreat it remains outwardly quite unaffected. There is intense satisfaction, of course, and a general feeling of lelief, but there is no demonstrating. The city realises That the great crisis of tho war is over, that complete victory is now only a matter of months at most, and that its next jubilation must be reserved for the final development. Poth Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward have commented apprceiatively upon its restriint THE LIQUOR QUESTION. Since their return to tho Dominion both tho party leaders have been interviewed by representatives of the Moderate League and of the New Zealand Alliance in regard to the proposed liquor referendum, and it is expected that in a day or two, perhaps before these lines appear in print, they will make independent announcements on the subject. The question will be submitted to the House as a non-party one, but a* the moment it seems likely it will take the shape demanded by the Alliance, with the issue of State control added. Mr Massey was an opponent and Sir Joreph Ward a supporter of tho principle of State Control last session, but it is said that the Prime Minister's observations while at Home has led him to modify his views hi this respect, and that he will facilitate the three issi.es—continuance, national prohibition r.nd State control—being put before the electors. SOLDIERS' SETTLEMENT. It is understood that the reports to be presented to Parliament during the approaching session will show that Wellington is the only land district in tho Dominion in which any substantial progress is being made with the all important work of settling returned soldiers on the land. The act lal figures are. not yet available, but people who bave been watching the progress of the work declare that when they are published they will show that more settlement of this kind, measured by the number of men actually placed upon the land, har, taken place in the Wellington district than in all the other districts put together. If this is so, it is not because land is better or cheaper or more abundant in Wellington than it is in other districts, but because the Commissioner here and his colleagues on the Land Board-have recognised more fully than have the auJhorities elsewhere tho urgency of making adequate provision for the soldiers coming back from the war. THE SESSION.

Parliament will meet for the transaction of business, as the stereotyped phrase goes, on Thursday, but it is not likely it will settle down to serious work before the l>oginning of next week. After the usual ceremonial proceedings an adjournment will be made a« a mark of respect to the members of both branches of the Legislature that have passed away during the recess. Ministers arc still hoping they may lw able to release memlwrs before the Christmas holidays, but the date of 'the prorogation will denend very largely upon the attitude of motnbers them-

selves. If thoy are anxious to make a demonstration of zeal and independence for the edification of their constituents—which would be a verv natural desire in the circumstances— Ministers will accept the inevitable without any attempt at driving tactics. In that case Parliament will adjourn over tlie holidays and resume work early in tho new vear.