IN NEW ZEALAND.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 162, 14 August 1914, Page 8

IN NEW ZEALAND.

WAR WITH AI^TRIA. THE NEW ZEALAND TROOPS. Press Association. s WELLINGTON, August 13. - :The Prime Minister announced in the House to-night that official intimation had been received that war had broken out between Great Britain and Austria- * Hungary. Mr Massey remarked that the informaftbn simply meant that the' technical peace which up till the present had continued with Austria no longer , existed. LOYAL GERMANS; NELSON, August 13. German residents in the Upper Moutere district have issued a statement declaring their loyalty to the Empire, and adding —"Residents of German extraction who for so- many years have made their homes here, without molestation, on terms of equality with the rest of the community, and have enjoyed the protection and assistance of the Government of .this.colony,•,.will istand shoulder td shoulder, man for man, wjith any of the other inhabitants of the-colony -to defend its shores and institutions,, their homes and families, against any' foe whatsoever. ; ' WAR RATES. WELLINGTON, August 13. Cable advices received locally state . that the rates of marine insurance between Australia and Canada (Atlantfc ports) have been reduced to 10 per cent., while the rates from Australia to South Africa have been reduced to 3 per cent. NATIONAL RESERVE. - AUCKLAND, August 13. Five hundred men were enrolled this ' jnorning in the c National Reserve. All were of an exceptionally fine type. 'Many have taken part in engagements in various parts of the world;' ; Among ■;'■.. those who came forward were a' few "• Americans.

trf>.CAL BODIES' CONTRIBUTIONS,

[From our own Parliamentary Eeporter,] ; ; «*- WELLINGTON, August 13'.

In the House of Representatives this evening the Local Bodies Indemnity Bill was introduced and read a first time. The object of the Bill is to enable local bodies legally to make contributions to the War Fund. The Act .•will validate such, votes as that of the Auckland Harbour Board, 'which proposes to donate £IOOO. >-

THE CANTERBURY DIVISION. OrriCBES APPOINTED. The Defence Department have now a list of the officers who will go with the Canterbury division of the NewZealand Field Force. One or-two alterations may be made, biit the list is approximately correct. CANTERBURY INFANTRY ' REGIMENT. Commanding officer Lieut.-Colonel Douglas Mcß. Stewart. \ \ Second in command — A. E. Loach. Adjutant—Captain. A. Critchley-Sal-monson. Machine-gun officer —Lieut. F. W. Parker. Signalling officer—Lieut. H. Batehelort A Company (Ist Canterbury)— Major E. A. Row, 0.C.; 2nd in command, Capt. Gresson; Lieuts. Temple, Ffitch, Steward, 2nd Lieut. Dobson. B Company (2nd South Canterbury Regiment)— Captain D. Grant, 0 ? C; Capt. Houlsen, 2nd in command; Lieuts. Stevens and La wry; 2nd" Lieuts. Barclay, Fraser,. and Hislop. C Company (12th Nelson Regiment) <—Captain Brereton, 0.C.; Capt. Griffiths, 2nd in command; Lieut.-Saunders: 2nd Lieuts. Starner, Read, and Forjsyth. D Company (13th North Canterbury and Westland Regiment)— Major Jordan, 0.C.; Capt. Jeffries, 2nd in command; Lieuts. Cribb and Conway; 2nd Lieuts. Skelton and Stitt. CANTERBURY MOUNTED RIFLE REGIMENT., . Commanding officer —Major P. H. Johnson. Second in command-i-Major Overton. Machine-gun section —Lieut. Davison. Ist M.R. Squadron—Capt. ActonAdams, 0.C.; Capt. Hurst, 2nd in command; Lieuts. Murchison, W. Deans, Free, and Keddell. Bth M.R. Squadron —Major "Wain, 0.C.; Capt. Hammond, 2nd in command; Lieuts. Barker, Haytor, and Bruce; 2nd Lieuts. Haytor and Dailey. Q.M. Sergts. —Austin and Fraser. Sergt.-Major Norris, of the Royal Horse Guards, on loan from the Imperial Authorities to the New Zealand Government, accompanies the first mounted contingent as Sergeant-Major. GIFTS FOR OFFICERS. Colonel Richardson (commanding the 13th Regiment) acknowledges the following gifts for officers of the Cantef- \ bury section of the Expeditionary Force: — The Hon. D. Buddo, M.P., has presented a horse to Major A. E. Loach (second in command), and Dr Will (Rangiora) has presented the same officer with a full military equipment of saddlery. The Northern A. and P. Association is providing a mount for Major Jordan (officer commanding D Company, 13th North Canterbury and Westland Regiment), and Mr Macdonald, of Rangiora, has presented the same officer with a complete saddlery outfit.

PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATION.

TO BE HELD AT LYTTLETON. A meeting of prominent citizens of Lyttelton was held last evening in the Council Chambers, to consider the advisability of having some sort of patriotic demonstration, and also to consider means of raising money in aid of one of the funds at present being collected. It was decided, on the motion of Mr W. Radcliffe and Superintendent Carson, that a demonstration be held on Saturday evening next, and that it take the form of a procession. A collection will be taken up, and the particular fund to which the proceeds shall be deVoted will be decided later. Mr Toomey was appointed marshal of the procession, and all arrangements, including the route, have been left entirely in his hands; *• The procession will include the Lyttelton Band, the Lyttelton Navals, the Senior Cadets, the Boy Scouts, and the Fire Brigade, and it was also decided.to communicate with the Druids', Foresters ' and Oddfellows' Lodges, also the Railway "Workers' and the Waterside Workers' Unions asking them to participate. The grand demonstration will be held at the Band Rotunda, if fine, and if the weather turns out inclement efforts are being made to secure the Drill Shed for the occasion.

The question of speakers was left in the hands of the Mayor, Town* Clerk, and Mr Toomey. It is intended to communicate with the member for the district, Mr J. McCombs, asking him to be present, while other speakers will probably include the Mayor of Christchurch and Mr J. J. DougalK president of the Navy League. The clergymen of the different denominations will also be asked to deliver addresses.

Superintendent Carson offered the services of the Fire Brigade as collectors, and also to supply the collecting boxes. The offer was accepted with thanks.. ... It was announced that ladies would also assist %y selling badges. CHRISTMAS GOODS. THE IMPORTERS' STOCKS. It is not anticipated that the war will have any marked effect on the new season's stocks of clothing, drapery, etc. Speaking to a SUN representative this morning, the manager of a local drapery establishment said the crisis would have practically no effect on the coming season's goods. "The Athenic," he said, ''has a large shipment' of goods, and we will be pretty complete for "this season, except, perhaps, in some small supplementary lines. For next winter season, many orders for which have been placed, we have grave doubts. There is not the slightest doubt we will get no Continental stuff. British things therefore will, I think, be in demand in consequence." " Concerning a recent cable message asking importers not to * curtail or defer delivery of their orders from Home, he stated that to follow that advice would be to go rather against their own judgment. "Suppose we can get delivery of all our orders, Continental and English, "he said, '' we have such a small market here that if anything like a serious slump set in we would have a very poor outlet. It is only natural for a careful business man to try to anticipate as far as possible the demand that is likely to exist for the goods. I think the general feeling of most importers would be to get their orders down to a safe margin, leaving the rest to be operated upon by cable as necessity might arise." He added that there was a quantity of German goods now on the way to New Zealand! The crisis had occurred too l?te to affect the Christmas toys or other Christmas goods, and, so far as the stocks are concerned, there will be little to "remind people of the deadlock in trade at the other end of the world.

EMPIRE FUND.

DOMINION CONTRIBUTIONS. The following donations to the Dominion's Was Funds are acknowledged in Press Association and private messages. £ s. d. Nelson Bros., Tomoana .. 500 0 0 Hon. John Duthie, M.L.C. 250 0 0 G. P. Donnelly, -Hastings .. 500 0 0 Samuel Gilmer, Wellington 250 0 0 Gear Meat Co., Wellington 250 0 0 J. P. Firth, Wellington 100 0 0 Bell, Gully, Bell, and Myers, Wellington 100 0 0 Dargaville Club 400 0 0 Auckland Trotting Club .. 150 0 0 G. W. Moore, Bushey Park 100 0 0 Douglas Trustees (Mount . Royal, Otago) .. .. 210 0 0 Lauder (Otago) Branch of N.Z. Farmers' Union, 12 horses and 100 0 0 L. D. Nathan and Co., Auckland ' 500 0 0 Hon. E. Mitchclson, Auckland 100 0 0 Wesley Spragg, Auckland 100 0 0 Hancock and Co., Auckland 300 0 0 Great Northern Brewery, Auckland .. :. .. 250 0 0 W. Kempthorne, Dunedin 150 0 0 Downie Stewart - and Payne, Dunedin 100 0 0 Neill and Co., Ltd., Dunedin . . .. 100 0 0 Milburn Lime and Cement Co., Ltd 100 0 0 W. E. Broadway .. ; .. 100 0 0 Miss Broadwav . . . . . . 20 0 0 Hallenstein Bros, (each) ~ 500 0 0 A. and G. Price, Thames 500 0 0 J.' Watson, Thames .. .. 250 0 0 E. W. Mills and Co., Wellington 250 0 0 E.* Balcombc Brown, Wellington * . . . . . . .. 50 0 0 Mrs Matthews, Tokokino .. 100 0 0 Southland Racing Club . . 100 0 0 Knight Bros., Dannevirke 500 0 0 Staff and Management J. G. Ward and Co., Inver- . cargill .. 100 0 0 John McQueen, Invercargill 100 0 0 Mr Charles Wells .... 15 0 0 Annie Gerard .. .. : .. 25 0 0 PATRIOTIC FUND. YESTERDAY'S DONATIONS. The following subscriptions to the Canterbury Patriotic Provident Fund, inaugurated by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr H. Holland) have been received: — £ s. d. W. Congreve and Sous .. 10 10 0 Staff of Congreve and Sons 8 8 0 Orton Bradley 50 0 0 McCarthy and Clark .. .. 110 C. Bean .. ~ ~ 22 0

Total to date .... £2842 11 0 The acting-principal of the High School, Mr S. A. Clark, has informed the Mayor of Rangiora that the pupils will hold, a concert on August 20 and will devote the whole of the proceeds to the Patriotic Fund, instead of to the school sports fund, as was originally intended. A large number of ladies met in the Eangiora Municipal Chambers yesterday afternoon to complete arrangements for a systematic canvass of the Eangiora district in-aid of the Liverpool Women's Fund. The deputation sent to the central committee reported that shirts and other articles were now fully supplied, and that the present need was for money with which" to meet liabilities. It was decided to concentrate on the collection of funds, and the town and surroundings were allotted into 16 small districts and a collector appointed to each, with instructions to place all subscriptions in the secretary's hands by 4 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon. A party of High School pupils undertook to sell badges on Tuesday.

HORSE FUND. The following donations have been received by the Mayor for the Horse Fund: — £ s. d. Mrs K. Gerard' .. .... 20 0 0 Mr Kiver 10 0

VICTORIA LEAGUE FUND.

The hon. secretary of the Victoria League acknowledges the following contributions to the special War Fund of

Miss Munro, parcel of shirting. j COLLECTED AT SYDENHAM. j Collection at Demonstration £ll, 0 0 Mrs Peppier 22 0 Mrs W. JG. Munday .... 22 0 s Miss Donaldson 0 10 0 Mr Harvey 0 10 0 MrsJull 050 THE COLLECTORS. The Mayoress will be pleased if the ladies who carried collection boxes last Saturday will meet the Badge Committee at the City Council Chambers at 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. LICHFIELD STREET DEPOT. In connection with receiving articles for the. Liverpool Fund; the following committees have been set up: — Shirts.—Mesdames Turnbull, Nicholls, Sims, Blackburne, Chilton, and Miss Heywood. Hold-alls, Housewives, Cholera Belts. —Mesdames G. E. Way and Eichardson. Socks and Caps.—Mesdames A. F. Mickle and Walter Hill. Members of these committees will be in attendance at 121 Lichfield Street during the hours of 10 to 5 until further notice.

STREET COLLECTION. The committee appointed by the Executive of the Liverpool Fund to take up a street collection during the week has been organised by Mr H. R. Smith, with the assistance of Mrs Neville, Mrs C. J. Treleaven, Mrs Evans, and others. LITTLE RIVER HELPS. Little River subscriptions to the Lady Liverpool Fund are:— Mrs M £5 0 0 Miss A. Cook .... .. 5 0 0 Miss M. Cook , 5 0 0 Mrs Wynn-AVilliams' V." .. 22 0 CHEVIOT.

Ail enthusiastic meeting was held at Cheviot on Wednesday, in the Corona-, tion Library, and steps were taken to help forward the Liverpool Fund. Mr T. Gee, chairman of the Cheviot County Council, presided; It was decided that all present form themselves into a committee to canvass the district for money, material, and articles of utility for the Expeditionary Force. Mrs A. M. Saunders was appointed secretary, and Mrs Ross treasurer. A further meeting will be held on Tuesday, at which progress will be reported. The various committees appointed were:—Township: Mrs Thomas, Mrs Blaekley, Mrs Laugeson, Mrs Holland, Mrs Solomon, Mrs Read, Mrs Wansborough, and Miss Ritchie. Cheviot Hills: Miss Wafforn. Home View and Froghall: Mrs Forbes and Miss Saunders. Caverhill: Mesdames Gee and McCaskey. Spotswood and Leamington: Mesdames Archibald, Stevenson, Harrison,, and Limbrick and Miss Archibald. Domett: Mesdames Jackman, Keys, Wells, Turnbull, and Miss Geeson. Mina: Mesdames Fitzsimmonsand Skinner. Port Robinson: Mesdames Tweedie and Wilkinson. Parnassus, Mendip, Hawkswood: Mrs Jackson and Miss McGrath. Conway Flat: Mesdames Willie/Monk, and King. Kaiwara and Ethelton: Mesdames Barker and Munro.

A meeting of ladies was held at Am-i berley on Wednesday, at which it was decided to assist the Liverpool Fund. The sum of £25 was collected in the room, and donations of goods were made. Mr Graham, Mayor of Woolston, is asking for volunteers to assist in selling tickets for the patriotic concert in aid of the- Liverpool Fulld.

THE MAIN FORCE.

GOING TO SAIL FROM FOUR PORTS. The main body of the ExpeditionaryForce which is to go to Europe is now being mobilised in the fjour chief provinces. It will be much larger and more complete in every detail than the advance guard which is now embarked at Wellington, ready for departure. The main force will not be concentrated at Wellington, but will sail from Auckland Wellington, Lyttelton and Port Chalmers.

THE ADVANCE GUARD.

DATE OF DEPARTURE UNCERTAIN The Prime Minister announced in the House this evening that he could not say yet when the advance guard of the N.Z.' Expeditionary Force, now on board the transports Monowai and Moeraki in Wellington, would leave": The troops were now under the control of the Imperial authorities, and they would not sail until the Home Government gave the word. He did not know when that word would come. So far the Government had well fulfilled its obligations to the Imperial authorities ,in getting the men together and putting them on board the vessels. As far as he could say himself, and it was purely his own opinion, the vessels would not sail to-morrow. Mr Massey announced that members of Parliament would-visit the troopship tomorrow afternoon. • a

KIAO-CHAU.

THE GFRMAN COLONY. Kiao-Chau Bay, upon which the Japanese are reported to contemplate an attack, is a large inlet on the south side of the promontory of Shantung, in China. It was seized in November, 1897, by the German Fleet, nominally to secure reparation for the murder of two German missionaries in the province of Shantung. In the negotiations which followed it was arranged that the bay and the land on both sides of the entrance within certain denned lines should be leased to Germany for 99 years. During the continuance of the lease Germany exercises all the rights of territorial sovereignty, including the right to erect fortifications. The area leased is about 117 square miles, and over.a further area, comprising a zone of some 32 miles, measured from any point on the shore of the bay, the Chinese Government may not issue any ordinances without the consent of Germany. The native population in the ceded area is about 60,000. The German Government in 1899 declared KiaoChau a free port. By arrangement with the Chinese Government, a branch of the Imperial Maritime Customs has been established there for the collection of duties on goods coming from or going to the interior, in accordance with the general treaty tariff. Trade centres at Ts'ingtao, a town within the baj\ The country in the neighbourhood is mountainous and bare, but the lowlands are well cultivated. Ts'ingtao is connected by railway with Chinan Fu, the capital of the province, and a continuation of the same line provides for a junction with the main Lu-Hun (Peking-Han-kow) railway. The value of the trade of the port during 1904 was £2,712,145 (£1,808,113 imports and £904,032 exports). The bay is fortified, and serves as a base for the German Far Eastern Squadron. It is equipped with a large floating dock. The ordinary garrison of 3125 men consists of German marines, with a small force of Chinese soldiers.

UNDER CANVAS.

TROOPS AT ADDINGTON. THE CONCENTRATION CAMP. At 10 o'clock this morning the first detachment of the Ist (Canterbury) Regiment marched, to the . Addington Show Grounds and went under canvas. Simultaneously a section of mounted infantry, about 150 strong, also entered camp and took up their quarters on what, at ordinary times, is the No. 2 football ground. More than half the available space at the Show Grounds is now occupied with lines of bell tents for the accommodation of the large number of men whp will have entered camp before the expiration of another week. The scene at the grounds this morning was lively. Those members of the mounted infantry, who are volunteering for the Expeditionary Force, and who had not been medically examined or accoutred, paraded for preliminary inspection. The majority were Territorials, now in the C.Y.C. Regiment, but there was also a large number in mufti, whose service in South Africa, in the old volunteers, or in other military capacities, entitled them to anticipate that their services would be acceptable in the more serious business now offering. All.those who proved satisfactory were detailed to tents, while the rest remained on parade while their kit was being arranged or while the necessary examinations were gone through. At the back of the stand the recruits underwent riding tests, and the majority proved themselves quite capable. horsemen. ~ . THE -INFANTRY,

The infantry detachment, fully equipped arid ready, arrived quietly, i and the detailing' of the men to the tents was quickly completed. At various points about the camp fatigue parties were, busily engaged looking to tlie sanitary arrangements,' pitching marquees, and preparing the cookhousesfor action. The spirit prevailing everywhere is one* of quiet enthusiasm. Small knots of men in mufti, anxious to know their fate, are waiting about for final answers to their applications for enrolment.

The second detachment of the Ist Regiment will go into camp this afternoon. The volunteers from the 2nd Regiment will go in to-morrow, and on Monday as also, will, from the Thirteenth. The 12th (Nelson) Regiment will also come to ChfistchUrch and enter the camp, but the date of their arrival is not yet certain. The Tramway Board (per Mr J. A. FLesher) h*ave agreed to supply electric light free of charge to the camp. The installation has been carried out,with great expedition by the Public Works Department, under Mr Gray. The electrical fittings have been supplied by the Tramways Board, the Public Works Department, Turnbull and Jones, Scott BroSi, the National Electrical Company, and Brown Bros. The Post and Telegraph Department has provided complete telephone installation to headquarters, and to the mounted and the infantry headquarters. Ashby, Bergh and Co. (per Mr Drayton) have donated a complete mess kit for the officers o-f the Infantry Regiment. The camp commandant will be pleased to receive any donations -for the comfort or entertainment of the men. STANDING ORDERS. _, The camp standing orders are as follow: ROUTINE, Reveille 6 a.m., breakfast-7.30 a.m., first parade (morning) 9 a.m., dinner (when in camp) 12.30 p.m., first parade (afternoon) 2 p.m., tea 5.30 p.m.; guard mounting 6.30 p.m., retreat 6.30 p.m., first post 9 p.m., staff parade 9.45 p.m., last post 9.45 p.m., lights out 10 p.m. CAMP DUTIES. The infantry regiment will furnish each day the following camp duties: — Fire picquet, two platoons, camp guard (one N.C.O. and six men); tour of duty, 6.15 p.m. to 6.15 a.m. next day. Military police (one N.C.O. and three men); tour of duty, 6.15 a.m. to 6.15 p.m. each day. SENTRIES. Each regiment unit will furnish its own sentries during the night. BUGLE CA3*LS. The following calls will be sounded at the times stated under regiment arangements: —Reveille 6 a.m., retreat 6.15 p.m., first post 9 p.m., last post 9.45 p.m., lights out 10 p.m. No other calls will be sounded in camp with the exception of "The Alarm" and "Fire Alarm.'' SICK. Any man falling sick must report the fact immediately to the Sergeant-Major of his company. The sick will parade at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily and be marched to the medical officers' tent under the regimental orderly corporal. POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS. All letters coming into camp must have the addresses, rank, initials, and name of regiment or unit. SUPPLIES. Supplies will be issued at the supply depot each day under arrangements with regimental and unit commanders and supply officer. Ration parties for the above must be marched to and from regiments or units. STATES. Marching in States in duplicate must be handed in to the headquarters office on arrival of any troops in camp. Daily States must be handed in at staff parade each evening. SANITATION. Strict attention must be paid by all ranks to camp sanitation. LIQUOR IN CAMP. The bringing into camp of intoxicating liquor by either civilians or members of the Defence Forces is strictly forbidden. Any breach of this order will be severely punished. ; LEAVE. Leave between the hours of 5.30 and 9 p.m. is only to be granted under very exceptional circumstances. Any man granted leave must have a pass signed by the oflioer commanding his regiment or unit. CANTEEN. Canteen Avill be open during the following hours: —7.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m., 12 midday to 1.30 p.m., 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

AGGRIEVED RAILWAY MEN. MISUNDERSTANDING OR BUNGLING. [From our own Parliamentary Reporter.] • WELLINGTON, August 13. The position of several young men belonging to the New Zealand Railway Corps, who had volunteered for active service with the Expeditionary Forces, and who have since been informed that their services would not be required, was referred to in the House last evening by Mr G. W. Russell (Avon). Mr Russell said that a considerable number of young men in the railway had been brought to Wellington from other parts of the Dominion to join the contingent, and they had left their homes with the firm conviction that they were to be sent to the front. To be told now that they were not wanted was a serious disappointment to them. In some cases the men had been farewelled from their home towns —this referred especially to Auckland. He wished to ask the Minister of Defence if something could not be done for these men. He was informed that if they joined another contingent they would not get their half - . pay, and that their positions would not be kept open for them on "their return. ,Mr W. H. Hemes, • Minister of Railways: -That is not so. Their positions will be kept open for them so long as they are physically fit. Mr Russell: Well, that relieves the position somewhat.- Seeing that the men are trained and that troopships are still in the harbdur, cannot something be done to let them get-away, It will be a humiliation to these men to have to go home again afiter having been farewelled. ■, EIGHT DISAPPOINTED., MEN,

Mr T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South) said that there were eight or nine employees of the Plillside Workshops who had been told to report to the head offiee, Wellington.. Owing to preference being given to members of the Railway Engineers' Corps, they were not selected. He had made enquiries on the matter and 1 had been told that these men could not join other sections of the Expeditionary Force unless with the consent of, first, the officer in charge of the Hillside Workshops, and then of the General Manager. Mr T. (Hu'tt) wanted to .know whether the Civil Servants who went with the force, would receive half pay while they were away. TWO SIDES TO A STOEY."., ;' Mr C. S. Statham (Dunedin Central) also referred to the position of the eight men who had come up from Dunedin Wellington on the understanding that they were going to the front, but were not .chosen. • The men said they were told that they would be going to the front. - On the other hand the department said they were only told to report themselves at Wellington. There appeared to be some misunderstanding. The men were now in a very invidious position. A MINISTEEIAL STATEMENT.

The Minister of Defence (Hon. J. Allen) said that the Defence Department had considered it wise that 250 specially selected members of the Railway Corps should be sent, and he understood that these men had been specially selected. As far as the member for Avon's story went, he understood that eighteen men when the selected men were entraining, entrained, too, so eager were they to go. Mr Wilford: That's the sort of men I would take.

Mr Allen: Perhaps so. That was the story he had heard. Mr Eussell read an official notice of selection which had been sent to one of the eighteen men. Mr Wilford (to Mr Allen): That blows your story clean out. MrM-llen: Well, it is only v/hat, I have fieard.- The Minister of Hallways will be. able to tell you mo/e about !,hat. SERVANTS' HALF PAY. In reply to Mr Wilford's question, Islr Allen said that he was not aware that Civil Servants were to receive half pay.- The natter had bevi referred to the Public Se-viee Commissioners, who ht.d not yet reported. Mr Wilford: Oh, ye?, a circular was issued by.the Public Ssrviee.'Commissioners refusing it. Mr Allen said that with regard to the railway employees who were going the Bailway Department was making special conditions in respect or. pay to the 200 men who had been specially selected. In reply to Mr. Colvin, Mr Allen said that in order to mak? Westport doubly safe the Defence, Department was mobilising further-troops-there. He thought that the district was already safelv defended, but they were making doubly sure. With rega.d to volunteers from Westport and Denuiston, who, Mr Colvin 'said, bad received no notice from the Defence Depa.tme.nt, the Minister promised to make immediate enquiries. PURELY A DEFENCE MATTER-^., The Minister of Railways, the Hon. W. H. Herries, said that he had nothing to do with the defence side of the question, and had avoided as far as possible taking any part in it. If the House wished him to take command, of course he would be quite prepared to go to the Mr Davey: In what position? • front with the Railway Force. The Hon. Mr Herries, as Commander-in-Chief. (Laughter.) Speaking seriously, he again emphasised that the whole matter was entirely a defence questipn. He did not know anything about the men who had come from Auckland or the Hillside Workshops, but he would enquire and let the House know the result at once. As far as the arrangements made with him were concerned, he could say that the 250 men who were going away would get half pay from the Department, and their positions would be kept for- them. Mr G. W. Russell: They will get the ordinary war pay as well? Mr Herries: Yes; just like the officers of the Bank of New Zealand. Anyone who goes as a volunteer and can be spared by the Railway Department will get his position when he comes back if he is physically fit. If not, he will get his pension. Mr T. 11. Davey: He has to get your consent before he volunteers? Mr Herries: That is so. It jnight be difficult to replace a particular man. Members will recognise that it is absolutely necessary that the consent of the Department should be got before any officer is allowed to volunteer; but we won't arbitrarily withhold our consent when men of the Railway Department form a picked corps suitable for engineering work. And that is why the Government agreed to* give them the half pay in addition to the ordinary Defence payment. I will make enquiries with regard to those who have come from a distance and have' been thrown out after medical examination or beMMiisa their positions could not be filled

by other men. I will consult Colonel Hiley and report to the House tomorrow, THE COMMISSIONER'S DECISION. NO HALF PAY FOR VOLUNTEERS. It is understood that the circular referred to by Mr Wilford during the above discussion was,addressed to heads of Departments, who, in turn, submitted it in the following form to the It was dated Wednesday, August 12, ' and reads: — LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICERS JOINING THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. MEMORANDUM TO STAFF. The Public Service Commissioner has authorised the following announcement: —"Members of the public service who can be spared will be allowed to volunteer for service in the Expeditionary Force. In the event of their acceptance leave will be granted without pay, and their places will be kept open. v . for them on their return. While : members of the public .service join- ; ing the force are granted, leave ; - ; without pay they, of fcourse, will ; receive the usual scale rates accord- ' ing to .rank granted by- the Defence Department; " Tiieir ■: seniority will be preserved, and their salary, on resuming duty, will be at the rate (including increments) they would V have received had they not volunteered for active -Service. Superannuation rights regarding all such officials will be -fully preserved. Temporary employees who were in the service prior to-March 31, 1913, and whose employment has since been continued, may volunteer for the Expeditionary; Force, and, in } the event of their acceptance, they will be re-employed on their return. ''

SUPPLY OF NEWS.

GOVERNMENT MAKES ARRANGE- - MENTS. [From our own Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, -August 13. The Prime Minister announced in' the House of Representatives this .evening, that he had been able to make fairly satisfactory arrangements for the dailysupply of war news from London. He had-received the following cablegram from the High Commissioner:— •■; "The Commonwealth has placed a staff .of four men -to secure news. They will give us duplicates "and news will be divided into two classes, official and reliable." Apparently, said Mr Massey, the Commonwealth had found the same difficulty •regarding the scarcity of news, and had made certain arrangements in which the High Commissioner.\was>participating. He would hope that this would, prove fairly satisfactory. \

KAIAPOI ENTHUSIASTIC.

PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATION". One of the largest and most enthusiastic meetings' ever - ; held in Kaiapoi was held'last night at the Drill Hall. ' Previously a- procession composed of volunteers for the Expeditionary Force, Territorials, Cadets, Boy Scouts, the Fire Brigade, -etei> marchedthroughr the town headed by the Kaiapoi Band. At the Drill Hall the .Mayor presided, and patriotic addresses were given by the R'ev. lather Hyiand, fßev. P. W. ' Faifcldugh,- Eev. J. Captain. I Coulan, Lieutenant Grey, and M. Malaquin. Songs were also given by Mrs J. Wylie arid Messrs A. Baker, ; A. Ironsides, J. Hi Blackwell, and J. 'Miliar. A motion approving of the action of Parliament in the present crisis, , and., pledging the district to do all in its power to raise men, goods, and money, and to provide for the relief of injured volunteers and thosex dependent ta them, was carried with applause. Subscription forms were distributed during -the meeting, and many were returned filled, sixteen donations of £lO each being received, and four, of £5 each. The total of the district fund was brought up to over £320. A motion of thanks to the speakers and singers was carried on the motion of Mr T. E. * Green, who, as representing the Maoris of the district, expressed the hope that those Maoris who were offering to rerve their country would not be rejected. FROM WAIATJ. * The Amuri Gun feam,-gun and all, left for_ Christchurch to-day for active service with the war. The Gun Team consists of Lieut. F. Davidson, Corp. H. Grampton, P. Creed, J. Frazer, T. Smale, F. MeKie. • On Wednesday night the intimate \. friends of Mr P. Creed presented him with a set of razors, pocket letter case, and purse of cash,, as a token of their appreciation of his patriotism. Mr V. G. Oldham made the presentation in the loeal billiards room, Mr P. Creed being placed in front of the Union Jack for the occasion. Mr U. G. Oldham assured Mr Creed that his.friends were confident that he would do 'all in his power to uphold the honour of the British Empire which was represented by the flag in front of which he was standing, and wished him and his comrades all good luck, and trusted that they would all return safely. The company present sang, "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow,'' and gave three rousing cheers for the Flag and its defender. Mr P. Creed suitably responded, and thanked his friends for their hearty good wishes, and then said "* farewell to all present. EMPIRE DEFENCE FUND. A large and enthusiastic gathering' was held in the Kaituna School on the 12th inst., Mr W. F. Parkinson presiding. A sum of £l3O cash was subscribed partly for the Patriotic Provident Fund and partly for equipment purposes; also four horses and a quantity of horse feed and potatoes to the value of £7O. In addition, the ladies of the district are at work procuring useful articles for the men, in conjunction with the Liverpool Fund. It is anticipated that further sums will be collected by the end of the week. '• LIVERPOOL WOMEN'S LEAGUE. The Addington branch of the Liverpool Women's League has distributed its complement of shirts, and asks that those members who have been disappointed in not getting their full number will hold themselves in readiness to take up other work .as • occasion requires. The committee will meet at the schoolroom, next Wednesday afternoon ; between 3 and 5 o 'clock to receive all finished work, and members and others interested are reminded that funds are still needed by the Central Committee and that they may help in that direction.

Mrs Chas. Bean 2 2 0 Miss Bean .. .. .* 1 1 0 D. P. Macfarlane 5 0 0 Willis and Aiken .♦ 3 3 o. 1 0 0 D.I.C 100 0 0 R. E. McDougall 100 0 0 N. A. Neeley .. .. 2 0 0 Steffano Webb .. .« 5 0 0 2 2 0 C. J. Denham 1 1 0 Jas. Trent .... .. 10 0 0 Milner and Thompson 25' 0 0 H. L. -B.owker, 25 0 0 Halswell Sports Club 10 0 0 T. H. Barnett .. .. .-. 10 0 0 Central Dairy Co. ., 50 0 0 F. W. Crawford 2 2 0 Duckworth, Turner and Co., and employees 16 16 0 '' Briton'' (weekly 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 "The Miser" .. .. 0 10 6 ■> ** 5 0 0 J. W. Beanland 5 5 0 Smith and Smith, Ltd. 21 0 0 C. E. Cholmondeley 10 10 0 W. H. Hargreaves 50 0 0 T. J. McBride (first dona10 0 0 Geo. Jameson • • 50 0 0 Navy League "100 0 0 Massey-Harris Co. office staff 9 ••7' 6 Robert Allan 100 0 0 W. J. Hunter .. .. 5 0 0 Rev. F. R. Inwood .. 3 3 0 A. H. Anthony • •; 15 15 0 Donor's name not noted 10 0 E. Cuthbert .. .. 5 5 0 Mrs R. B. Ward .. .. 10 0 0 5 0 0 H. C. Lane 10 10 0 Canterbury Law Society 300 0 0 Canterbury Industrial Assn. 250 0 0 Waltham School Committee 10 0 0 TO-DAY'S DONATIONS. £ s. d. Previously acknowledged 2294 15 0 Hiearfield and 'Walker . . ' ■'■ 5" 5 0 Graham, Wilson and Smellie 20 0 0 Bishop Julius . . 45 0 0 Dr Blaekmore .. 5 0 0 Mrs Torlesse . . 2 0 0 Waltham School Committee 10 0 0 John Sinclair 1 1 0 Ly ttelton Women's Shakespeare Club .. .. . . 5 0 0 Newburgh, Best, and Co. . . 10 10 0 Agnes Archibald . .. .< 1 0 0 A..H. Turnbull and Co. . . 50 0 0 Canterbury Steam Shipping -~" Company 50 0 0 T. Wintle 1 0 0 T. J. Edmonds .. .. 50 0. 0 Foster and Paul, Ltd. 5 0 0 Mrs C. S. Bowden .. 5 0 0. F. S. Cordery .. ..' 5 0 0 Chamber of Commerce 25 0 0 G. H. N. Helmore .. 50 0 0 A. Dudley Dobson 5 0 0 A. A. M. McKellar 10 0 0 John Cock 1 1 0 Blackburne, Smith, and Co". 12 12 o' '' L.F.B." 1 1 0 T. Whittle 1 1 0 Herbert Bean ... 3 '> 0 C. H. Croxton 5 5 0 C. A. C. Cnningham .. .^ 5 0 0 Charles Wells 5 0 0 G. J. Harris 20 0 0 F. B. Dennis .. .. 5 0 0 James Gongh „. , . 100 0 0 10 0 0 T. Sewell .. . . 0 5 0 Collected in Marshland 4 4 0 . 3 3 0 W. D. Stewart .; ., 10 10 0

the league: — £ s. d. Manning and Co. °. 50 v 6 6 Mrs H. B. Johnstone 5 0 0 Mrs E. Rankin 1 1 0 1 1 0 30 0 0 5 0 0 1 1 0 Mr and Mrs W. N. Bond .. 2 10 0 Mrs W. D. Stewart .. 1 0 0 Mr W. Carey Hill .. 1 0 0 Mrs W. Carey HilL .. .. .1 0 0 Mrs Melville Jameson 1 0 0 0 10 6 Mr and Mrs W. Bullen 0 10 0 0 2 G 0 2 6 0 1 0 £80 18 6 the Liverpool fund. MORE SUBSCRIPTIONS. The following additional subscriptions have been received for Lady Liverpool l.'s Fund:— S. and A. Luttrell £50 0 0 Lady Campbell (Cheviot) .. 50 0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 10 0 0 8 0 Mrs D. Rutherford .. ... 1 0 0 Mr Edwin Cuthbert .. _. 2 2 0 Mrs J. H. Drummond 1 0 0 Per Mrs Jones (Vicarage, 18 19 6 1 0 0 Girls of Rangi-ruru School (for fitting housewives made by them) .. .. 6 10 0 Gifts from: — Messrs Fraser, Ltd., 2000 letterheads and envelopes. A few friends, one dozen, housewives. Mrs Philip Hanmer, two doaen pairs socks*