WELLINGTON TOPICS

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14262, 13 January 1920, Page 5

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE HIGH COMMISSIONERSH IP. A ; RE-ARRANGEMENT. (Special Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, January 12. It is stated to-day, scmi-officially, as the -saying goes, that Sir James Alien will he the new High Commissioner, and that lie "ill leave for London as soon as arrangements can ho made for transferring his Ministerial duties herb to other capable hands. It is believed in usually well-informed circles, however, that Sir James will go Home with a status that lias not been accorded to previous High .Commissioners. The suggestion is that be will fill the vole of a" Resident Minister, which has been discussed for some time past, and that Sir Thomas Mackenzie, relieved of his ambassadorial responsibilities, will continue to look after the Dominion’s commercial interests in the heart of the Empire- Recent events, and Sir Thomas’ o"u announcement of his intention to remain in London give colour to this suggestion, and it probably will be found to be something more than a mere SpeculationCabinet Reconstruction. The departure of Sir James Allen will very materially increase the difficulty of the task of Cabinet reconstruction with - which Mr Massey is faced. Sir James is the only one of his colleagues with a proved reputation as a financier, and if the Prime Minister takes charge of the Treasury himself he wifi have to unload the burden of several other portfolios he is bearing. Sir William Fraser, elevated to the Upper House, is holding Public Works only temporarily, Sir William Herries has expressed a desire to lie relieved of office, and the Hon. J. B. IJine, though there is talk of a peti- - -'puears to have lost his seat in the. House, It looks, therefore, as if there would be tour vacancies to fill. Mr Parr, who returned to the Reform fold last session, after a brief demonstration of independence, is mentioned as one of the “probables,” and if is expected Sir 11. H. Rhodes will return to his old scat in the Cabinet, while Mr G. J. Anderson is pretty sure to have the refusal of a place beside him. The Liberals and Coalition. A caucus of the Liberal Party will lie held next week, following upon the meeting of the loaders during the holidays, but so far no hint has been given of the nature of the proposals it will consider. It is understood that Sir Joseph Ward has been invited to attend, but it is quite probable ho will prefer his friends discussing the position unembarrassed by the personal conation. Meanwhile some of Mr Massey’s friends are urging him to renew his proposals for the formation of a non-party Government, or, at any yate, of one that will not rest on the old party lines and the old party methods.' The Dominion this morning implies that the result of the election has prepared the way for some further attempt towards establishing the ideal conditions proposed before the contest. The Coal Position. Among the other difficulties confronting 0 the Government just now is the grave industrial position created hv the miners’ “go-slow” policy. Five or six weeks ago the mine-owners informed the Prime Minister it was impossible to continue the unsatisfactory conditions prevailing at that time. Either the miners would have to _ resume the normal rate of production*, or the mines would have to be closed down. Mr Massey asked that the matter might stand over till after the holidays, and the owners very reluctantly consented to this course. The "'"d’tions have not since improved—indeed, they have been very much aggravated hv broken time —and now the owners are' insisting upon a settlement npe wav or another. During the next few days definite action will bo taken, and if the- men remain obdurate a trial of strength between the parties in the near future will be inevitable.