DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 April 1918, Page 8

DOMINION NEWS.

APPEAL FOR AID TO FRENCH ORPHANS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Hamilton, April 10. M. Dufton, secretary of the French Orphans' Fund, has received a cable from France urgently appealing for funds and asking that any moneys in hand be cabled. The organisation has taken charge of all the orphans and the number lias been greatly augmented by the recent offensive. MODERATE LEAGUE'S MANIFESTO. Wellington, April 10. The Moderate League has issued a manifesto in reply to the Alliance, strongly objecting to the demand for a special referendum on the grounds that in the present state of finances prohibition would be calamitous, that soldiers on active service should have an opportunity of voting, that if the Dominion is to be embroiled at this juncture in a liquor fight than there is .110 justification for the further postponement of a general election, and that before another vote is taken the Government should set up a commission to inquire into the question of State purchase and control.

PARTY CAUCUSES Wellington, April 10. A caucus of the Liberal party was held this morning, when all the members but one were present or accounted for. Sir Joseph Ward, who presided, explained the general position to the party, stating that the reason for calling session was due fact that the Prime Minister and himself had been asked to attend a meeting of the War Council and Imperial Conference. The meeting passed the following r(Solution: That this meeting of the Liberal Party desires in every way to express its approval of Sir Joseph Ward's mission to the Old Land to represent New Zealand ir. conjunction with Mr. Massey at the War Cabinet and Imperial Conference summoned by the Imperial Government to consider the war problems confronting the Empire at the present juncture. No policy questions were discussed. A meeting of the Reform Party was also held, Mr. Massey stating at the close that the caucus was politically satisfactory. The business of the session was discussed, and feeling in favor of the expedition of the Government's proposals without unnecessary delay. The general feeling in favor of a joint caucus was also expressed by those present.