POLITICAL NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1918, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

DISPOSAL OP SURPLUS MILITARY CLOTHING. (.Prom Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Nov 6. Answering a question in the House of Representatives to-day, tnflrtkCinister of Munitions (Hon, A. M. Myers) said that if the Defence Department had surplus clothing and stores twsell, firms in the various centres would be given an opportunity to tender for their purchase. He mentioned that much of the material at present in hjind would be required by the troops during the period that has still to elapse before mibiliaation could be completed.

THE EPIDEMIC'S AFTERMATH. "Will the Prime Minister, before the House rises, make a statement as to the intentions of the Government respecting the provision for those children who have been left fatherless, motherless and orphaned in consequence of the epidemic?" asked Mr. G. Hunter (Waipawa) in the House of Representatives. The member added that members of the House would return to their homes more easy in mind if they knew definitely what the Government was goin»fp do in this urgent and important mafflr.

The Prime Minister said the matter was now receiving the consideration of the Government. The Ministers had not yet had time to reach a definite decision, but they intended to do the right thing as far as possible. Some provision would be made for the children. The Minister of Finance probably would make a statement on the subject in a day or two: Mr. Hornsby (Wairarapaj, mentioning the same subject, suggested that the children should be spared the "cold hand of ehariy" and placed in homes where they would be adopted."Be was sure many families would be glad to 1 receive them. Mr. Massey said the point would be considered. The Educition Department was taking steps to ascertain how many children needed assistance.