POLITICAL NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1917, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

■ CARE OF SOLDIERS' FAKM& j NEW PLYMOUTH DRILL HALE* By Wire.—Our Parliamentary Report**,- ,• Wellington, Last Nights ."'■ Mr. Okey (Taranaki) a.sked Mr. Mas- . Boy if his attention has been drawn to •■■■ the number of farms loft by young men on leaving for the front, and the "way nmny of these farms aro going back into their original state for want of proper stocking, and whether, so a3 to help to keep farms in order for these men, he will consider the advisability of tho '. different Commissioners of Crown Lands obtaining the services of sc\f>ral persona connected 'with farming of. this class of land, with a view of tho Government , stocking these farms and farming them \ under experienced managers? Mr. Massey replied: It is not always practicable to undertake the management and stocking of the farms in question. There is, however, nothing to pre* vent the owners of such farms letting the grazing to their neighbors, thus providing for the upkeep of the farm. In most instances Crown tenants who have* joined expeditionary forces have done bo/; and alsi. in many cases, in addition, thfc Government has remitted the payment of rent during their absence from Ne'Wf Zealand. <" Mr. W. T. Jennings (Ta-nmarmmi)] mentioned that the Crown Lands Com- . missioner of Taranaki is selling the old! drill hal! and site at New Plymouth, and asked tho Minister whether he will aftcertain what is the position if those pioneer volunteers who are entitled to a' share of the £BOO contributed by the •" general government in the war period of IS6O-A3 towards the erection, and,- in lieu ot clothing, hoots, etc., that volunteer* at that period provided for themselves?! ' Further, whether those pioneer volunteers who aro still alive and who did not receive their share of fhe £6OO air . location will receive their amounts out of the proceeds of sale of the old historical drill hall? Thero are forty, to fifty of the men still alive. Mr. Massey replied that if the list of pioneer volunteors desiring it. who «re still alive and who did not receive'their share of the £6OO, together with their period of service' and contributions to ■' the original fund, be supplied, the nStfV : ter 'Will be further considered. FILLING THE VACANCY IN THE CABINET, -\ \ Wellington, Aug, 2S. One of the matters to be discussed W'.' the Liberal caucus is the selection of a Minister to fill the place rendered vacant by the_ death of the Hon. R. McNab. . There is a feeling among the members i uf the party that the choice is likely to '■ fall upon Mr. Forbes or Mr. Poland. The names of Mr. Wilford and Mr. Sidey are :"" also mentioned. Of the two members ',. first named Mr. Forbes appears to have , the better claim, but there may be rea» sons for giving the appointment to % North Island representative.