POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12088, 17 August 1917, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES.

[Fnon Otm Corrkspondf^t.] P.ENFORCEMENT POLICY. WELLINGTON, August 16. In the House to-night Mr Statham criticised the reinforcement policy •of the Minister of Defence. "He has," w:id the member for D'auedin Central, "allowed his zeal to outrun hiis c.'iscretion. Ho has sent so many men that many of our industries are badly hampered, and the Minister will have to grant many exemptions, especially in K-spect of country industries. In Australia the original amount of reinforcements, 16,(300 monthly, was reduced to 7000. or 7 per cent, though in New Zealand we still maintained 15 per cent." In January liust he was assured by the Minister of Defence that the New Zealand Biigado was under strength, but very shortly afterwards a new brigade was formed from accumulated reinforcements. Mr "Wilford (in a surprised tone): Are you sure? Mr Statham: He told me himself. A CRUEL PRACTICE Mr Poland drew the Defence Minister's attention to-day to a cruel practice by which mothers of dead soldiers are made to suffer. The member gave an instance which came under his own notice last week. A mother who had two sons killed in action some months ago was notified that the effects of her sons were at the local post offioe, and the contents of the parcel were a leather waistcoat, a pair of old pants and a. dirty shirt. The member declared that it was an unwarrantably cruel thing to send such things back as effects, especially as both boys had wristlet watcher and other articles of value, none of which were sent back. Sir James Allen: I am very sorry if these things -were sent back Mr Poole I saw them Sir James Allen: Well, T gave instructions eighteen months or two vears ago that- things of no value were,not to ho sent back. I will have to communicate.' to the front on the mattlcr a.aain.