POLITICAL NOTES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16304, 3 December 1918, Page 7

POLITICAL NOTES.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. MR. RUSSELL ON DEATH STATISTICS. BY TELEGRAPH- —OWN CORRESPONDENT. WELLINGTON, Dec. 3. In reply to Mr. Pearce (Patea) the Prime Minister said he had not yet received a reply from the Imperial Government with, regard to the purchase ot frozen meat, hut he had cabled to the High Commissioner asking him, if possible, to expedite the matter so that they might have the reply before they left New Zealand. In reply to questions the Minister or Railways said the restoration of excursion fares depended on the number of men who returned to the service so as to run excursion trains. He would look into the matter and see what could be done, but he did not expect much could he done by Christmas, though they would probably be able to do something for Easter. „ , TT m . * The Minister for Public Health stated in the House of Representatives today that when the epidemic became serious the publication of death statistics was suspended, so that no panic might be created. No official figures had been given out since beyond the deaths in the temporary hospitals. He hoped the House would not press for the publication of the figures in the meantime, in order that panic and depression might be avoided.