A DEMONSTRATION

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2220, 5 August 1914, Page 8

A DEMONSTRATION

..'.ENTHUSIASTS V151T.../:" PARLIAMENT , PRIME MINISTER SPEAKS ■'..' "THIS IS A TIME FOR ACTION' Sounds of singing and jubilant cheering, which, eamo floating,, uo the.wind to Parliament Buildings fist"night proved before long to Be the demonstrative outpourings of. a. crowd of young men and youths,; numbering some hundreds, who, after parading t{io city, streets for some time, "marched up through the grounds in quasi-military formation, and halted before the main vestibule.. At fbeir head was'a youth .who carried'; a small Union Jack; upon a long pole. . Though. still, the crowd was by no meanß silent. A lusty rendering'of. "God' Save the King" brought out a. number of people" to the vestibule, including several' Ministers. IJhe National Anthem was followed by unclassified joyful noises, in which cries of "We want BilllTpretJorainated, and' eventually a young maii stood' forward and said thatihe.had been deputed by his companions to respectfully ask,that !\tbe Prime Minister should l coino out and address .the.m. '":',.: . '■, ■ ....;' Mr. Massey presently' came- to ilio door>jid. was' received -yiith loud shouts' of; welcosjc, and the singing ' of "For He's a Jolly, Good;■ Fe110w."... "I heard someone sky just' now;", ho' said,; "flhat the PrimeVMinister should come out; and address Miein—(hear,- hoar)—and' I. am very to do. so to n "certain extent, but' .loOne',telP you this: .is riot a itiriie ffsr talk; it isa'time for: action. (CheorsVand "We're here!") '.. I know, 1 arid/New; Zealarid'isthere-Kcheers: arid "Every .time!")—-and': New . Zeafonders' will be there;, (Glieers.) ■Now.'cdntinbd the Prime Minister, there (lias been Vrumour that war: has been declared etwee'n Britrim>and Germany'.'(Clicers.)i want to tell you that the 'news 6t been officially confirmed.. 'Wo have onews of a declaration of war or. a tate of war as between Britain -. arid; Jermany." ;■■'■■' - ". 1•• rHero there: wore cries' of disappointment, and one voice queried: "Why. do tho' American papers'publish it; then?" The, owner'of tho ; voice was ' sharply called to order by his companions; Mr; Massey: I don't know anything about., what appears in the Americanpapers;; I would just'like to say. that in my opinion ypu-will not have long.to wait for ,a' declaration of war. (Cheers;) I am not-.speaking officially, but I am going upon the indications, and I want to : tell you that I have' not the slightest doubt about the: result. (Cheers.) I don't'want to indulgo.in Jingqisni or : high-falutin', or anything of.that sorb,. 'but-1 have absolute confidonco in tho .country to which we belong,-and ; in.the Empire. (Cheers!)- It .may'bo. my rduty, as head of the Govornmei:t, ; to >ask New Zealanders; to; do. their duty ■not oilly in protecting 'their own coiiii- ' try, but in assisting tho Empire. (Cheers and ','B*ery_ time!").; It may jbe. necessary in the interests of the Emipiro that Now Zealanders should go to \tlio ■ front—(Cheers) —and I am < sure ■that they will go without asking; any, questions. (Cheers.) When it is all 'over I am absolutely certain the Union Jack will be, on top. j; Mr.' Massey:thanked the gathering *fdr' the • dnc'ou'ragernenfr given the Go'vermricnt, and assured them that it was 'appreciated.:.''. • Three cheers were loudly given, for Mr., Massey as he concluded, and the crowd again sang "God Save the King;" :. Then'the spokesman stepped and said that as this was "a non-politi-cal affair and a .national matter,'" they, respectfully begged that'.the Leader of His Majesty's Opposition might also ad-' •dress them; ■'• ;. ■;!_,• ,''■'. ' Cries of: "Wo want Joe!" . 'Amidst a roar of cheering Mr.' Massey said that so far as the present crisis was concerned there was no ■ party. They were all Imperialists, and party was dropped for the.time being. As Sir-Joseph Ward did not appear,. ' the crowd sang "Rule Britannia."'Mr.. Massey;said that i IT Sir Joseph. Ward was not in the building they must take ,the will for-the deed. The Lender of the Opposition ,was' standing., shoulder, to shoulder with himself in the interests r.f'the Emoire. Having said this tho Prime Minister led a round of cheers, for Sir Josaph Ward'.- Presently;it was stated that the: Leader of the Opposi tion was not :in the building, but at his hotel. ■'•"■' '•'■■ Finally the _spokesma.n _ "delegated to •Mr. task of giving 'Joa' our' Jove," and the crowd departed to seek Sir Joseph Ward at tho Royal Oak' .Hotel. ■■'■-■. : : ' ■:•■; \. LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.: '■' Oh arrival 'at the Eoyal Oak Hotel the crowd cheered and sang and shouted •until Sir Joseph- Ward appeared-' on;the balcony. His appearance was tho ;slgnal, for more .cheering .arid., singing of .'"For. He's, a Jolly Good Fellow."'" • Sir Joseph' Ward delivered a briefpatriotic- speech. 'He complimented the young .men 'on their: demonstration of patriotic spirit.'but: warned' them' .against displays of'-jingoism; -Ho said 'that although. Britain had never been an aggressor in warfare, it appeared ■that she would now be compelled, in to do. right by her 'friends, to enter this—the 'greatest strugglo in history. Tn New Zealand - ofl in every other part of the Empiro there would be now no dissensions,, and the' nation would stand. as 1 . i one ..man. (Cheers.) 'All, oyer the Empire the people of the .dependencies had impressed' their jloyalty' and proffered help, and Now, Zealand oa this: occasion, as always before, had not been in'doing her duty to the Motherland. (Cheers.) In this fight we must he deadly in earnest, arid determine that if! the necessity arose our men and our monoy would bo used to the last' l man and tho last.shilling to keep flying the'old flag under which we had lived for centuries! (Loud cheering). The task now confronting the Motherland would call for' nil the courage, and determination and the other of those traits that had made the British race famous in bygone years. (Cheers.) Ho Was sure every man and every -woman in New Zealand would do their part to maintain tho nnmo and faino of the British race. (Cheers.) When Sir Joseph Ward bade the crowd."Goo'd-night," they cheered again and again., and sang ' tho National Anthem. ' Presently they moved off, to tho, tune of patriotic songs. No N.eerl for Anything Like. Panic. "There is.no occasion,, although the position is undoubtedly- a serious one,. :for anything; in the way of panic. There is no necessity for anything in-;the way of indulgence in what is sometimes called jingoism, -but I.would like to say. this—that the; people of Now Zear land, Iho : Parliament nf-.Vcw Zealand; and tU() Government of New Zealand

know their duty, and oven if it may mean sacrifices, they will do their duty in any circumstances that may ariso. I am confident that tho people of this country and the Parliament and tho Government will do thoir duty calmly and quietly] but firmly and determinedly-" (Applause.) A Crave Situation. Sir Joseph Ward (Loader of tho Opposition) said: "Speaking.with the full sense of the responsibility that attaches to the holder ,6f tho office of Leader of the Opposition, I wish to,say that I fully recognise that the position as it stands at present is one of the grayest,that/has occurred in connection with the history of the world. Although: Great Britain has not been in any way a party to. tho rupturd that has •unhappily occurred between the great Continental/ Powers, ■ the fact, remains that her,'position is so great' that it seems to me..to'be next, to, impossible, though I hope to the contrary, for her toreniain' a- silent onlooker. Whether that will turn out to bo so or not,.we cannot but feol a sense of great satisfaction in. the knowledge that, England possesses statesmen, full ; of wisdom and experience,who will be backed by a. race whose courage whenever called upon to face-danger and difficulties,haa never failed.- ," . Marvellous Unity., '...,'■ "Wo have had-: experience already of the marvellous unity, that arises at a juncture when the position of the Em-' pire is in any Way threatened. Nothing could be finer in the expression of this trait in the British character than the rapidity-with-which the gaping wound that a week ago presented such an ugly appearance,, and: which seemed incapable of-beimr healed, 1 has closed up. The dissensions were so wide tli&t it seemed impossible to avoid a, rupture between members of our own- race within the British Isles. Yet the moment there was a sign of danger on the horizon from boyond the chores- of the Motherland the internal. troubles almost instantaneously ceased, and, more than that, tho.contending factions, who had been- strengthening--, themselves 'to attack each other,' simultaneously extended tho hand of brotherhood 'to the British Government' arid,to each.other, bothoffering to take uparms.in unison for-the, protection,of Etripire ; interests common to them:.all.' I would, like to; say If eel equally., proud of' both the Watermen and the. Nationalists who so splendidly sunk their strong differences. They hayo shqwn ; a;fine example, of loyalty .'to- the:.whole world. '■"'' But this has always been ..the'- experience -,of. Britain in the past, and such actions redound to tho. honour,.of our fellow countrymen and .to the glory of the Empire! /Indeed, it is'such, actiens' that make, for the prestige and .'the power of the British .race, and- which have helped to make Great Britain and tho Empire, what' they ; are. . ,' ;. No Question as to Unity. "Theii we look afield to the outlying portions of-the Empire. Canada, has acted' nlagnificeritly; Australia equally so. And New Zealand has through the Prime- Minister already indicated its willingness to .assist;, and has 'in the past, eye'r.'been-, ready, to. make, every sacrifico to .help to keep, the-bonds of Empire intact and to preserve unsullied the great traditions of .'the Motherland. There, need be no question' in the minds of anyono' in the. present, crisis,' either here \or abroad, as to our unity . of actidn. The Opposition Party, of which I am the Leader,' will co-operate in every_ way with the Government' of the day in any action jt may, bo necessary 'to take to preserve"tho integrity!of the Empire! I- want-to say that as far as this 'side of the House,. is concerned, honourable members most joivv, dorse nil' tho'-' thVPrime! Minister has announced as having been made,-and will co-operate with him and his Governmentin.;tho nreserit crisis.in the interests of., tho 'whole ..world.,!' (Ap-' plaiisb.)' ■■,',; •.-■ ■'~-. DUNEDIN MOTORISTS' OFFER. (By Telegraph-Press.' Association.) Duhedin, August 4.' .The Otago Motor Club, at its meeting to-night, resolved,:—"That the members of tho club place their resources at the 'disposal of the Government, if necessary,-and' proceed to form' a corps .'■for,,-service abroad.". ■'„• It was also .resolved that all motorists ;in the vicinity, arid members of the club, and otherwise, be.circularised arid asked if they would-be prepared to place themselves and their vehicles at the disposal of. the. Government,- and, if so, requested, to .notify; the secretary of the, club.- - .i.■."■/.•. ■, .-,'..■'■•■-' An'announcement'-of the action of the: Imporial authorities in, mobilising the Arjriy and Navy' was mado from tho stage at olio of the picture.theatres tonight,' and-the-audience roso and sang ".God Save- the, King."'. EXPORT OF GOAL PROHIBITED , -.A: Gazette Extraordinary, issued last night ; contains' the'.following' proclamation':— ' ' •' .1 " ■'-.- :.•■■;- - •<' Whereas by Seotibn 47 of the Customs Act, 1913; it is -enacted' that tho Governor may by Order-in-Council'gazetted prohibit the exportation of any goods which in his opinion- may, if exported, he used for,'any-purpose of war: Arid whereas in'the opinion of the Governor coal;: if exported, may bo bo. used, and the': exportation thereof ought, to be so prohibited accordingly.:' ■ Now, -therefore; His' Excellency ' tho Governor of the Dohiiriion of New-Zea-land, iii- pursuance _ and- exercise of: the powers and aufliorities conferred- upon him by Section. 47' of; the Customs Act; 1913, and-of all other powers and authorities enabling him m that behalf,, and acting;by-and.with the advice and consentof-the.Executive Council'of that Dominion,, doth' hereby-iprohibit the ex'portation of coalfrorii the said Dominion, save and except in-cases where the .[Minister of. Defence-is .satisfied that any coal, to be exported, is-destined and', required for the useof His Majesty's ships, and authorises, the lading and exportation Accordingly, and save and except in cases where the-: Collector of Customs, at-any. port' is_ satisfied that tfho coal to be exported is'required and intended for. use as ships'- stores, by the exporting ship;'not being a foreign ship 'of war; and authorises the lading and exportation thereof accordingly.-.. BIG ORDER FOR ARMY BOOTS. (By- Teleerraph—Press Association.) ' Chrlstchurch, August 4. : Messrs. M. O'Brien and Go., Limited, contractors to the : New Zealand" Government,' received instructions this morning to prepare immediately 5000 pairs of regimental boots, and to make the necessary arrangements'for a further delivery of; 6000 pairs. '"■.'"■ In.connection with the examination of all vessels entering Lyttelton Harbour, it has been decided that this shall take, place as from 8 p.m. to-day.. Tlie peninsula trader Cygnet has been chosen as examination steamer, and the officers who; Will carry out duties under instructions from the Defence Department are the Lyttelton Harbour Board's two pilots, Captain Hunter and Captain Crawford. -.''•'.. PUBLISHING WAR NEWS. POST, OFFICE ARRANGEMENTS. In reply to' n. question in tho House of 'Representatives'-yesterday afternoon, the Postniaster-Geiieral (the' Hon. It. Heaton Rhodes) said that ho had al-ready-issued instructions to the effect .that in country districts.'where there were-lib'newspapers, the same rule was •to ho followed' as was followed when the '.Boer Wa'r.wasMn progress, namely, that the Post' were lb publish > war news. On Sunday. 'Usfe lie made

arrangements that the Post Office should publish any news that came through on that day. Mr. .V. H. Eeed said that thoro were a number of country towns with small weekly' newspapers which did not belong to the Press Association. Those papers had no means of obtaining news. Ho presumed that those small towns would bo supplied with news hi the same manner as ■in the towns where there were no newspapers at all. Mr. Rhodes: Yes, exactly as. was done during the Boer War. JUMP IN LOCAL FOOD PRICES. FLOUR, WHEAT, AND OATMEAL. A MERCHANT'S CENSURE; RISE NOT WARRANTED. One of the most disquieting features of a crisis like the present is the tendency' of holders of primary ■ foodstuffs to jump the'-.prices, at times, without the slightest cause, but to make a few extra hundreds, or thousands, as the case may bo, whilst things are in'an unsettled condition. Because, flour and wheat go ud in prico at the seat of ■war the holders in this and other, countries.deem it the proper course to raise tho price locally, though it is probable our-lodd supplies will not be seriously affected. J At, the first blast of war, or any deep-seated industrial trouble there' is a -well-founded commercial law that it. must be traded upon,. and action, more or less united, is taken. It is unfortunate, too, : that though ; tho price is raised, say, £1 a.ton wholesale, the amount of the rise is considerably more •than that by thetime the stuff is purchased by the citizen from the retailer. The present crisis—only a few days old—has brought about a deplorable state of things already. The .local agent of some northern mills was.advised,; .yesterday as follows,:—"Cannot execute, any orders owing to'mishap to ' small mill and the excitement in Europe." . ■ Such.a message may be freely interpreted to mean that,as higher prices would probably bo; reached there was no chance of any present orders being fulfilled.' ■;'■ ~, From Oamaru another local flour merchant received ' the following; letter :— "Tho position is: now. so serious that we do.-not feel inclined to ,quoto fur; ther: .Also, although we have sold at 30 .day terms, Iwo may ■ have to make shipments subject, to' payment by demand draft.with shipping receipts.attached." • •',- , ■• •. ■ ; ■ .' This, in plain terms, means that though the price of flour has the' millers will demand cash from their clients instead of allowing them 30 days,, the prdbablo reason boing that they are being asked for cash by tho holders of wheat. This, in turn, will mean that tho bakers; will demand cash from their customers, instead of paying on the weekly or monthly system. Flour has. already been raised from £10 to £11 f.o\b. in the south; oatmeal was raised.frora £11 10s. to £12 per ton yesterday. Fowl wheat (unfit for milling), which was selling at from 35.-9 d. to.4s. per bushel.last Saturday, is now quoted at 4s; 3d., and oats show a firming, tendency. ; - "It is' my personal opinion, and I doii't card who Knows it,!.' said one merchant, "that tho rise in' the price of these nccessaTies of life is quite unwarranted. • Supposing they can get a fow shillings moro per ton (after paying freight) by shipping to London, are they gonig te, p.ay.\the, heavy_ war.'jigjs; jlso .lu'at ,'vrill be ■'; made by ' insurance companies as soon, as it is known that Eng-.' land is-at war? •■ I don't think'.-•' our millers, or holders of flour-will do that :when :thoy havo'a' /sure- market; at a"' steady price here. Theny why. should the price bo raised? We may have enough for our own stipply, but we certainly have none for export—not plus the freight arid war risk, anyhow: So it amounts to this: that it is s simply making use 'of tho crisis to bleed the public. I don't know what wo should do,if it wasn't for Australia—that is; tho one big check on the Now Zealand millers. I have 300 and 400 tons of Melbourne flour coming to hand at the 'rate <of from 20 to 30 tons a> • week. For that flour'l pay £B'ss., and:it has been sold to arrive at £10 to £1010s. per ton. That shows what a good thing tho wheat-growers and millers are making in' New Zealand.- ■ . ■-...■ '~ "I might- say that tho proposal to pay on demand is not ah extravagant one, though not the custom here. In Australia tho merchants always pay'forthoir>flour on demand.; ■'■-■'.' '. "Whyfowl wheat is raised is avmystory. New-Zealand is never likely to export third-rate wheat, yet the price has been;jumped Cd. per bushel since Friday last." QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE. A' number'of questions relating to' the distribution and 6ale of foodstuffs in the Dominion- were: given notice of in tho House of Representatives yesterday. . '.■■""• : Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon (Westland) is to ask tho Prime Minister whether, in 'the--event of- the price of the necessaries of life becoming excessively: high during .tho hostilities in ' Europe, lie will causo depots to he established throughout the centres of' the Dominion for tho distribution of' foodstuffs at' a reasonable cost.. Mr. C A. Wilkinson (Egmont) has given notice to'.ask the Government whether . legislation .will be '.introduced to prevent the' public :f rdni being unduly exploited by artificial increases iri the 'prices-of foodstuffs ■ and_ commodities during' tho present period of uii,rest.—"lt ik Teported in to-day's Press," he'stated, "that flour has been, increased in price by £2 per'tori, which will cause a, rise in the price of bread. Tliis increase at the present stage appears -quite unwarranted and unfair." Mr. U. Colvin (Buller) is: asking the Minister of Agriculture whether he-will take immediate steps, by legislation, or otherwise, to provide, for the. introduction into New Zealand of' wheat, flour, and oatmeal'free of duty. .', ' At a meeting of tlie" Northland Rate- | payers' Association hold, last evening a resolution was' passed ' protesting against the rise in tho price of foodstuffs. It .was decided to write to the merriber for Wellington North, (the Hon. A" L. Hordman) with a /request that tho protest he brought under the notice of the Minister cf Internal Affairs (the"Hon: H. D. Bell). •, THE SOUTHERN MARKETS. '■'..- PRICES rising; • ' ' . ,!By Telem-apli—Pre36 Association.) • Christchiirch, August 4., .It was only to be expected .that tho disturbance iii Europe would sooner ov later affect the local wheat,market. It is almost impossible to say to what extent, however, as so little is changing hands. The wheat supplies are in tho hands of tho millers and merchants, and a few large growers, who have not yet sold th'eircrop. All aro firm holders, and are only. prepared to quote: .prices tliat are at this stage looked upon as -practically prohibitive. ■ Thoro has been some inquiry for milling wheat, av.d a lino was rocontly sold at 4s. 2d. f .0.b., sacks extra, but the price is now much firmer. There has been a strong demand for fowl wheat, '.and' it has changed hands this week at. 4s. 2d. and 4s. 3d., f.0.b., sacks in, and 4s; Gd. f.0.b., is asked for fowl wheat that is life for milling. • There is no wheat of■feririg from,the country. Outs have also hardened in value, but any sales that arc taking place nro from the merchants' stocks, and 2s,

Ojd. for B grade, and 2a. 3d. f.o.b. for A grade Ga'rtons has been, obtained. Thoroi is little more inquiry for potatoes, but there is practically no improvemeni, m prices at present. Flour has advanced £1 per ton, and is in very strong demand, millers' stocks having been practically cleared out, arid retail orders cannot bo promptly filled, iho rush for flour and oatmeal is even greater than at the time of the strike. ■A PROTEST, At a mass meeting of the Petone Kailway Workshops' employees, held on luesday, somo strong comments were made in Tegard to the action of -those responsible for the recent increases on !' our > etc., due to the war scare, and the.following resolution was Amoved by Mr. D. M'Kenzie, • and carried unanimously :—"That this meeting of workers of the Petono Railway Workshops strongly recommends Parliament to immediately pass, -legislation prohibiting merchants and others from exploiting the people by the abnormal and unjust rise of food stuffs, particularly flour, that has taken place. There being no need for this, • it is a downright sin, and is unnecessary. We trust that a measure of relief and redress will be given at once which shall stop this wanton robbery, and place on the Statute Book of the.Dominion'a protection to ensure to the workers and their dependents that they shall not suffer by a short allowance or'the" staff of' life at their dining-table.; It means'if this goes on less bread for the poorer people's children. On account of the war crisis/ ainplo evidence is now in front of you to go fully into the cause of the extremely' : high' cost of living. We trust you will 'give .immediate effect to this resolution." Copies, of the resolution are to be forwarded to the Premier, the' Leader of the Opposition, and the member for the district.. / " . OFFER- OP MOTOR CARS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) .-• J Chrlstohurch,August4; The following. telegram was sent to the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey this morning:—"Prime Minister', Wellington.— The Committee of the Canterbury Automobile Association is recommending: all member's to' place their cars at the. disposal of the Government in-- case of ■ omergency.—W. H. : Simpson,: President, J._ Sead Gowing secretary;" This evening the following reply was received from the Prime Minister:—"Qn behalf of 'the Government, I desire to thank the members 'of your association very heartily for your.offer to place motor-cars'at the .disposal of the Government' in ease of,'emergency during the present crisis, and to. say that their: patriotic action^is highly;appreciated; Should the necessity arise; lyoulwill.bb communicated with by.the Defenceauthorities." ' Wanganul, August 4. , , N Large crowds filled the: principal streets to-night. Tho playing of "God. Save the King," "Rule Britannia," arid Ihe ''Marseillaise"' by. the v band created scenes of enthusiasm!';, Cheers were given at frequent: intervals ; for the King and for France 1 . Crowds surrounded the newspaper ounces .to-night, eager to learn the latest developments. GARRISON GUNNERS TO'MAN THE FORTS . ■/.■/" TERRITORIALS ORDERED TO THEIR ■;-■;, STATIONS .- - v Orders were issued yesterday 'afternoon by the Commandant of the Forces (General Sir Alexander Godley) for all the Coast Defence • Forces to mobilise this morning, and between the hours of 4 : 30 p.m. and 6.p.m. mon of the Royal New_ Zealand Artillery were engaged in posting the mobilisation notices in prominent places about the' city and suburbs.- ....- • After dark the Permanent Force men selected well-lighted places' for display, of their faintly-typed notices, which in the fading light of day and the some-' what fitful artificial:lights of the,street could bo deciphered only with the great. cs,t difficulty by the eager and excited ■crowds.-, .""' .(, ••'. v There wero few who:read the notices who did not conclude, that this oxtfeme action: meant'that England was either now', at war or that :it was perilously, imminent. ■ >' '■ .'■'.-'. The mobilisation . order read as follows:— .:■ .. ;.. .■ • I. ..--. . mobilisation. Wellington:coast defence'-- ■'■■ troops. ~ '::.:•..' The, Wellington G.. A. Division; has been called out for service by, Proclamation. of-the_ Governor-in-Council. ■ The Wellington Division Garrison Arless No. 5 Company; will-as-semble at the Garrison Drill Hall bs under:—. '.■.-.. •■:•... . .. ■..„• -. ~ No; 9, Company, at 10 a.m. No. 3 Company at 9 a.m! ' .- ' No.. 5' Company will assemble at Nga-' hauranga at 9 a.m.. One day's ration is to be carried'in haversacks. Any officer, non-commissioned officer or man.belonging,to the units specified herein who fails to attend .as directed abovewill'rcndbr himself:, liable to be proceeded against according to law. ■• Dress ,and Baggage.—Full' marching order will be worn.. Each-officer, noncommissioned officer, arid man ,; will bring with him to the place 'of assemble tho following articles packed-in a kitbag:— ' ■•■- ■■'~■'■■ Officers. '.'■■■"- Blankets, underclothing,; shirt, socks, towels, pair boots /(spare), bootlaces (spare), soap, writing materials, cleaning' material,, canvas shoes, hair, brush and comb, razor and shaving brush, tooth .brush, Housewife (fitted), enamel plate and mug, knife,' fork, and spoon. Total weight not to'exceed 1001b. - ' Officers will, in addition, carry qn the person, whistle, notebook, watch, field ■ glasses, and compass. N.C.Os's and Men. Two pairs blankets. 1 shirt, 1-singlet, 1 pair drawers, 1 pair boots and bootlaces' (spare), 1 pair canvas; ;sboes. enamel plate and mug, hair brush and comb, razor and i shaving brush, tooth' brush,;'.housewife (fitted), soap,.cleaning materials, knife, fork, and. spoon. Total weight not to exceed 301b. N.C.O.'s will bring, in addition, notebooks and whistles. All kit-bags aro to be clearly labelled with the owner's number, rank, name, and unit. F. SYMON, Captain,, \ Staff Officer, Coast Defence Troops. What It Means. In reply to a question last evening, General Sir Alexander G6dley .explained that, following the announcement of tho Primo Minister, the order had been issued for'the. Garrison Artillery forces to. mobilise at onuo. One company was to go into quartos at Fort Ballance. another at Fort-Dorset, :and tho third (No. 5) at Fort'Kelburn (Npahauranga). "Tlio men will go out and live at tho forts altogether, so that these may bo fully manned—they take up their"war stations as though on_ active service. ,Thcy go to the forts just the same as if it was_ their, week's annual eiily.it will be on active service condi/ lions. I '. ..-'.. Effect on Business. Tho mobilisation of-tlio Coast Defences is the 'first military move in New Zealand' that will have a direct and

immediate effect on business. Whilst the sudden displacement, of \ a Targe' body of men frOni various avenues of employment to tie port" fortifications will not 'dislocate business, it will doubtloss cause a good deal of inconvenience in many quarters, which cannot very well be helped. It is not considered very likely that the men will be called on to repel an enemy, as none of the belligerent:nations are-strong in the Pacific—hardly strong ' enough to' make a raid on New Zealand, which is so far from any possible base, but it will'serve to keep the men efficient and easy in their work in case there are unexpected developments- in European waters, and the enemies' fleets cruise further away from the main theatre of war, SAFETY OF TRADE ROUTES ;.i GERMAN PRIVATEERS ■ CON VERSION ON THE HIGH -SEAS . The effeot of war; upon the overseas trade of Great Britain has been the subject of many articles in the English reviews, it has been calculated that thore are 6000 British-owned cargo vessels scattered over 100,000. miles of exposed trade routes.' The most dangerous period for shipping is generally expected to be at the opening of a war, and. its duration t,ill depend upon how long.it takes-the Navy to defeat the hostile fleets,, and then clear the'ocean, of commerce destroyers. '•'•■• Last year ,the' British Government decided on thb arming of merchant steamers carrying foodstuffs to -the United Kingdom. Mr. Churchill, First Lord of the' Admiralty, in his speechon the Navy Estimates on March 27. 1913, said: : v "I now turn to one aspect of trade protection which requires special reference. It was made clear at the.second. Hague Conference and the London Conference that certain of the Great Powers halve reserved to themselves the right to convert merchant steamers into cruisersy not merely, in national harbours but if necessary on the high seas. Thoro is nqw good reason to believe that a considerable number of foreign merchant steamers'may be rapidly converted into armed 'ships'-by -the mounting 'of • guns.' The 6ea-horne.- trade of the world: follows well-marked routes, upon nearly all of which thetonnage of the British Mercantile Marine largely predominates. Our food-carrying liners and vessels carrying raw material fol-. lowing these trade routes -would, - in certain contingencies, meet foreign vessels, armed and equipped in the manner described.. If .the Britishships, had no armament, they would ho atthe mercy of any ' foreign liners' carrying : one effective_gun arid a few'rounds of ammunition. It .''-would be. obviously absurd to meet the contingency of considerable numbers of .foreign, armoured, m'fjehant cruisers on the high seas "by building an equal number of cruisers. That .would expose, this, country, to an expenditure of money, to ityjet a. particular, danger altogether dispfoportionato to .the expense, caused to.any.foreign Power in creating that danger.' Hostile cruisers, Wherever,they are found, will ,bo : covered and met by British,6hips of war,but the proper.reply to. an. amed merchantman is another merchantman armed in ; her, own. defence. ; This is the position to whicltthe Admiralty, have itelt it necessary' to -draw the attention of leading shipowners. We .have' felt justified m pointing out to them the danger .to-life and property which would be incurred if their vessels were totally, incapable of offering, any defence to an to the Admiralty * invitation, with cordiality, and substantial progress has been ,made in the 'direction of it, as_ a defensive measure by preparing to. .equip anumher of first-class British'liners to repel„tlm attack of an armed:foreign merchant'cruiser. (Cheers.) Although these vessels have, of course, a wholly different statue from thai'of'the regu-larly-commissioned . merchant ' cruisers such as those we obtain under the.'Cunard" agreement, the Admiralty have felt that, the greater part of the cost of the necessary equipment■ thottld' not fall upon the owners; and we have decided, therefore, to lend the necessary guns, to supply ammunition, and.to provide for .the .training of members, of the ship's company to form the. guns' crews. The owners' on their part are paying t'Ho cost of the'necessary structural conversion, which ' is 'not, great.'". The British mercantile marine will, of course, nave'the protection of tlie;Royal Navy under all possible circumstances, but it is obviously impossible to guarantee individual vessels from attack when they are scattered on their voyages all over the world. No' one can. pretend to view these' measures .without regret or without hoping that the. period of retrogression! all oyer the wpTld-which has rendered them necessary, may bo succeeded by days, of broader international confidence' and agreement than those through which we are now passing. (Cheers.), ■',-• .■,-.' ."..;..:'-.■■ Progress to Date. - v Speaking on this year's Estimates ori April 18 last, Mr. Churchill said: v '■. "The''House wi'l expect me to &ay a word-on the arming of merchant ships. Much' misconception has arisen on this subject, and;it has proved a stumblingblock to many. • Forty ships have been armed 60 far with' tw04.7 guns apiece, and.by the end of 1914-15 70 ships will' have been so armed. They axe armed solely for defensive purposes. The guns are mounted in the stern and can only tire on a. pursuer. Vessels so armed have nothing in common with mercuant vessels' taken over 1 by-the Admiralty and converted into commissioned auxiliary cruisers, nor are these vessels privnteers or commerce' destroyers' in any sense. They are exclusively ships which carry food to this country. -They aro iiot<allqwcd to fight with any!ships ,cf' v/ar.'Enemies' ships of. war will be dealt with by the Navy, and the instruction to. these armed merchant vessels will direct\them to;' surrender if overtaken by. ships of war.- They-are, however, thoroughly capablo of self-defence against an enemy's armed, merhantman. The-fact of their being so armed will probably prove an effective deterrent alone on. the depredations of 'armed merchantmen and'an effective protection for these ships and for the vital supplies that they carry. _ .