INFLUENZA.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16419, 13 January 1919, Page 7

INFLUENZA.

TROOPSHIP AFFECTED. (By Cable.—Pross Aaeociation. —Copyright PERTH. Januaiy 11. The mail steamer Malta, with SCO Kerr Zealand soldiers aboard, has arrived at Froman-tle. Tliero are 12 cases of influenza in the ship. RELIEF OF "WIDOWS AND ORPHANS. On Saturday, Mr J. MeComhs, M.P.i sent tho following telegram to the Hon. J. A. Hanan. Minister of Education, | -who received , : t on tho express at Tim- ' aru on his way up from the South: — The Government premised through you that -where orphans created by the epidemic wero given in charge of their mothers, tho mother would receive tho same allowance, viz. 10s (kl a week, than would havo to be paid if they wero placed out with faster mothers or in institutions. The Pensions Department here is dealing with 200 cases of epidemic widows and orphans n month, and as far as 1 can see, your Department hero is not organised to immediately deal with the large number of pressing eases •which require immediate attention. As tho Pensions Department has to deal with thes« cases to the extent of granting tho pittances allowed) under the Widows' Pension might not arrangements bo made with that Department to at least temporarily deal with the special grants "to bo provided by tho Government ? There n' o hundreds of cases waiting to he. dealt; with, and it is quite impossible for your special Department, as at presont organised, to copc with the work expeditiously. In fact, it is not known hero who can or will doal with the cases. Might I suggest that tho provisions proposed to bo made through your Department should bo granted to all -widows and orphans in necessitous circumstances. Mr Hanan sent the following renlv from th<? steamer before it loft for "Wellington on Saturday night:—Since I left Wellington an alteration has been mado by Mr Russell. lam making representation in regard to inv view on tho subject at tho next meeting oO Cabinet.