INFLUENZA ORPHANS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16455, 6 June 1919, Page 5

INFLUENZA ORPHANS.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. ' Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, June 5. A deputation from the orginisations interested in social questions waited on the Minister fur Education to-day regarding the position of children lot* orphans by tbe influenza epidemic. Tbe Rev. Mr. King explained that no money could bo obtained for the support of those children unless they had been nominally committed to an industrial school. Ho said very strong resentment was felt that these children had to be committed simply because their parents had died. Mr. King suggested that ordinary guardianship should be made simpler and less expensive, or should bo vested in-such a society as the Presbyterian Social Service Association, in local committees, or the Public Trustee. The Minister said the committal to industrial schools was only nominal, as children did not actually ,go to the schools. Ho hoped the procedure would be altered next session. He had to use the existing machinery, although bo did not like it. The Public Trustee bad power and had asked the Education Department to undertake the w ork. He .promised to see what lie could do to have the law improved.