BUMBLEDOM IN KHAKI.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1208, 19 November 1919, Page 2

BUMBLEDOM IN KHAKI.

EXPERIENCE OF A POLITICIAN. While replying- to good -wishes expressed by his follow members of the Liberal Party on Monday evening (says the 'Star's' Wellington "■correspondent) on his retirement from political life, Mr Poole, member for Auck-land-West, related an .experience- ho had -with reference to the Defence .'Department while the war was in progress.

He explained that- after being isi'rii-' ed down for active "service he received an invitation from tho Y.M.C.A. authorities to';go : to London as a worker among seldiers. His papers were fixed up, and everything arranged for his departure, but when he arrived at Wellington from Auckland to embark for England tho Defence Department at the last moment held him up, saying that he was not a desirable type of man to mix with the soldiers in France, lfe sought,for an explanation, but niot with nothing but an uncompromising refusal to allow him-to go Home as a Y.M.C.A. .worker, and he therefore offered his services as a Y.M.C.A. worker any where, else, and was sent to-do work on Hie Pacific Coast. Ever" since that trip, which wag,, taken because ie was turned aside by the New Zealand Defence Department, he had received invitations to return to America and speak on the •resources of New Zealand, and after consulting with his wife he decided to do so. The member added that while in America 11c was informed that every New Zealand soldier would be looked after when passing' through the. Panama .' Canal, and that it would, not cost New Zealand one cent.—(Hoar, hear.)