MRS. ANZAC.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 46, 22 February 1918, Page 5

MRS. ANZAC.

BRITISH BRIDES FOR BH£JUff, 800 WEDDINGS A MONTH. The New South 'Wales Premier has received a letter from the AgentGeneral, in which he states that a somewhat novel development has taßen place with regard to Australian soldiers. They are marrying English women while on service with the Expeditionary Forces, and are anxious that the same concession should be made in the passage money to their wives on the journey to Australia. "Under the provision for nominating immigrants," Sir Charles Wade points out, "any resident of New South. Wales may, under certain conditions, nominate a person in Great Britain, who will receive the benefit of a reduction in the passage rates on immigrating to the State, and it is sought by those soldiers who have so married to bring their wives under the operation of tbi| scheme.

ASSISTED - PASSAGES WANTED. "Literally the nominations do not apply to soldiers who are over at the front indefinitely, but the immigration officers have applied this provision in favour of such soldiers who have asked for the concession. But the question is likely to grow, and I should like the official confirmation of the Government of this extension of their immigration policy. "I am informed that some 2,000 Australians have married women in the United Kingdom, and recently these marriages have taken place at the rate of 800 a month. "In the next year or so it may be reckoned that a substantial number will be granted concessions in this direction. I shall, therefore, be glad to receive the authority of the Government to extend this concession of reduced Tates to wives of soldiers who marry in this country and desire to make their home in Australia after the war." Mr. Holman has cabled to Sir Charle* Wade stating that the benefit of assisted passages may be extended to wives of soldiers married in Great Britain who desire to make their home in Australia,

SWEETHEARTS, TOO.

FASSFORTS REFUSED. J LONDON, January 31. The authorities are discussing whether the fiancees of Anzace should be transported to Australia. Many of the young women have applied for free passages under the repatriation scheme. Owing to the intervention of the National Service Department and the Foreign Office declining to issue passports to those fiancees who are capable of war work, only two have hitherto been granted. The soldiers are now asking whether the Government will provide transport for the girls if they are married immediately. This has been condemned lest it should place a premium on hasty marriages. An outgoing ship will carry a number of nominated immigrants for Victoria and New South Wales, whose cUinw wece regarded-as ttigcnt.