NEW ZEALANDERS IN ACTION

SPEECH BY DEFENCE MINISTER. 'IT TELEGRAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION.) DUNEDIN, 29th April. The message frdm the Imperial Government congratulating New Zealand on the conduct of the troops created the liveliest satisfaction. Flags were J*oisted on many buildings, and a large crowd assembled at the Town Hall, where the Mayor (Mr. Shaddock) and the Ma.yorelect (Councillor Clark) delivered short speeches appropriate to the occasion,. In the afternoon the employees at the Hillside workshops marched into town with banners flying, and met the Hon. J. Allen on his arrival from the north. A short address was delivered by Mr. Allen, in which he stated that he knew nothing about any casualties; all he knew was that every man had done his duty to his King,- to his country, and to New Zealand. Shortly after 5 p.m. a patriotic rally was held at the Town Hall steps, where addresses were delivered by Mr. Shacklock and the Hon. J. Allen (Minister of Defence). , . In the course of his speech, Mr, Allen stated that about three weeks ago our infantry left Egypt for the Dardanelles, but that had to be kept a profound secret till now. Mr. Allen added : "We have men in Egypt to take the place of those who might be among' the casualties, and it is our duty to fill the ranks with two men for every one killed. We know our duty, and we will perform it as New Zealanders should." Speaking at the annual reunion of. the Otago branches of the National Reserve to-night, Mr. Allen paid a high tribute to the work of the staff who had been training and organising the men for the Expeditionary Force. The 4th Reinforcements went away from New Zealand more soldier-like, better trained, and better equipped, and with its transports more perfect in every detail, than was the case with any one of the previous bodies that went away. Mr. Allen eulogised the services of Colonel Robin (acting Commandant), Colonel Gibbon (Chief of the General Staff), and Colonel Potter (Camp Commandant at Trentham). When Parliament met an amendment to the Defence Act would be brought down, allowing the National Reserve to become part of the reserve of the military system. He did not say that it could be made a compulsory reserve, and thought it was better voluntary. When the time came to discuss terms of peace, he thought the overseas Dominions would have some say. He hoped the time might come when a sub-com-mittee of the Committee of Defence might find a place in these southern seas, with representatives of the Mother Country and of the Dominions fronting on these seas. PAHIATUA CELEBRATION PAHIATUA, 29th April. There was a- patriotic demonstration in the Town Square this afternoon. The populace was summoned by ringing the fire bell. The Mayor, Mr. Crewe, read the Secretary of State's message?"Chec_rs were given for the New Zealanders in action, and for General Sir lan Hamilton, the assemblage singing the National Anthem.