EVENTS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2239, 27 August 1914, Page 6

EVENTS IN NEW ZEALAND.

THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

TROOPSHIPS NEARLY READY FOR SEA

POINTS IN PARLIAMENT.

INTERESTING REPLIES TO MEMBERS' QUESTIONS.

The number of men present in camp is now-, 2533, officers 86, horses 938. Training is continuing to make swift progress, and delightful weather still favours the operations. Letter writing is _ indulged in on a very large scale', chiefly in the three recreation marquees provided by the Salvation Army, Church of Christ, and the Y.M.C.A. One night 500 letter? were counted as the output of one of these marquees. The Route Maroh. In keeping with the conflicting reports which arrive from the front, there are numerous rumours officially contradicted respecting the local camp. One of these (telegraphs our Palmorstou correspondent) was that the men were going to •have a Spartan march to Wellington, instead of travelling by train. The Defence Minister yesterday contradicted this. Troopships Inspected. An inspection of the troopships in Wellington Harbour was made yesteT-' day afternoon by Sir Alexander Godley (Commander of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force). Position of Reservists. An appeal is being made in New Zealand for assistance to any needy families of British Army Reservists, who .have to join the colours. Apart from naval. reservists there are 190 British Army Reservists in. New Zealand, and 60 of these are married. The pay they will receive when with their regiments is Is. Id. per day, while a separation allowance' of a similar amount per day, and 2d. pet child, is made to the.wife. In England employers have decided to keep the, positions of: reservists open, and the same course will no doubt be adopted by employers in New Zealand. The General's "Sleeping Car." Sergeant H. Richards (manager in Wellington of the Dominion Motor Vehicles Company, Ltd.) is leaving New Zealand with the Expeditionary Force as chauffeur to General Sir Alexander! Godley. The Commandant is taking with him a "Hotchkiss" car, that will, ,be fitted in such a manner that at night the car body can. be turned into two comfortable • sleeping berths. , Interred with Honours. A touch of v sadness tinged the camp on Wednesday, when the late Gunner L. E. West, of J Battery, who died of pneumonia; was.accorded a military funeral. Thare was a very largo attendance of .the various military bodies and the public. The "Dead March" "in "Saul" was played by the Pjalmerston Band. The deceased's father, Mr. L. G. Westj an architect of, Palmersten, has presented the deceased's late comrades of J Battery with a dog, as a mascot to. take to. the front.

THE ADVANCE PARTY,

SILLY SPECULATIONS CURRENT.. Careless speculation has added an unnecessary anxiety to the interest of relatives and friends in the welfare of tho first... section of the Expeditionary Force. Ample warning was given prior to the departure of the men that the secrecy necessary for the protection: of transport ships would not be broken until the occasion for its maintenance was removed by the arrival- of tho troops at their destination, and an assurance can safely bo givan that no information regarding the progress of the Expedition has yet reached Wellington. • The promise renewed • by the Prime Minister yesterday that news received by the Government concerning the movements of the advance guard will be immediately communicated to tho newspapers for publication should be borne in mind as an effective contradiction to the. rumoiifs- which are continually being placed in circulation by imaginative persons. The absence of any report' from tho force is the most convincing guar-, antee that tho plans made for it aro being performed in complete security.

AN APPEAL

SOMETHING THE CHAPLAIN . : REQUIRES. The Rev. Chas. J.' Bush-King,.'chap-lain to the Expeditionary Force, writes: —"I would be greatly, helped in my work amongst, the troops going to Europe if I had a portable magic lantern, on acetylene generator (small), for lighting same, and lantern slides. If someone would kindly donate these for our use, we would be indebted to them. Communications may be sent to me, care Mt. Geo. "Wright, 108 Wellington Terraoe."

THE WAR AND POLITICS

. A RAE OF QUESTIONS

DATE OP THE ELECTIONS

SOLDIERS AND THE VOTE

When the House of Representatives assembled last evening all sorts of questions on subjects more or less connected with the war were rained upon Ministers. . ' . v Mr. D. Buick (Palmerston North) led off with a question about voting facilities for members of the Expeditionary Force. He asked that tho Government should enable them to vote both upon the licensing question and in the Parliamentary election! Regarding tho latter poll, he suggested that members of thoForco should bo /autliorisod to appoint attorneys,) who could vote in their stead. iSir Joseph Ward (Leader of the Opposition) suggested that tho Prime Minister should tell the Houso on Tuesday next what ho proposed to do about the general election. As to the"' question asked by Mr. Buick,' ho hardly conceived it possible that men who were going out as patriots to fight for the Empire should' be deprived of tho right of' exercising their vote both upon tho political issue and upon tho licensing question. Ho thought ' members on both sides should be given an opportunity of carefully thinking the matter out, If tho Primo Minister did propose to answer the question that night, he thought members should be given an opportunity of considering the matter, and this would be difficult upon a question without notice. Mr. J. 5. Dickson (Parnell) said that no had received a number of petitions from Torritorinls in enmp at Auckland .who dosired that provision should ha

made to enable them to record. their votes. i The petitions were received (although the usual time- for their presentation had gone by), and the text was read by the clerk. ' A Dlffioult Problem. The Prime Minister, replying to the question asked by Mr. Buick, said that ito need hardly assure the hon. gentleman and members generally that the Government had no wish to disfranchise the. members of the Expeditionary Force. If it were possible to allow them the privilege of voting, the Government would be glad to make the necessary arrangements. Whether it could be done he was not prepared to say at the present moment/ but he hoped to make an announcement in a few days. • ' ■ Mr. Russell: Won't it be too late? Mr. Massey: I think not. Of course, members would understand,; he added, that the\ proposal presented many difficulties. He was afraid that a number of the difficulties were insuperable; he had been looking into the matter already. Regarding the proposal of the Leader of the Opposition that he should make a statement on Tuesday as to tho general election, he was afraid that this was oven more difficult.' He. didnob think he would be able to make a statement by Tuesday, but he would do it as soon as ever 'he possibly could.' Unless there were serious difficulties in the -way, the election should be held at the ordinary date. In any case, he would inform the House what the Government proposed at the earliest possible moment. . . _Sir Joseph Ward thanked the Prime Minister for his courtesy, and said thai; lie had no wish to press tho Government one way or the other at this juncture, out the matter was of such importance than an announcement by the Prime Minister should not be long delayed. The all-important question was whether it was intended to have the election this year. Upon that point he did not think there should be any difficulty in the right hon. gentleman giving an answer early, next "week. ' , FOOD PRICES. Mr.'T. H. Davey (Christchurch. East) asked whether the Government intended to do anything in tho matter of'food' prices. He had quoted inany instances in which prices had risen enormously in Christchurch. Sir Joseph Ward said that he noticed by tho newspapers that, the Prime Minister expected to'be able to do something in a few days. In his travels from the south to Wellington numbers of people had seen him and urged that something should be done at once regarding the prices of meat, flour, sugar, tea,, and kerosene. Ho thought the right hon. gentleman should set up the projected Commission at- once.- -

Mr.,T. M. Wilford (Hu'tt) said that residents _ in his district had petitioned asking liira that something should be done about the price of meat. ■ . The. Prim© Minister ■•snidV-that the matter was being attended to now. It was the intention of the Government to, sot up the Commission provided for in the Act referred to. ' Already he had communicated: with six '• gentlemen 1 in different parts of New Zealand asking them to. become members, of the Commission. Two had replied accepting appointment, and the other replies had not yet come to hand. Thety would probably arrive on the morrow, ,and he hoped to make an announcement during the present week. The Government was going to do what was right in the matter, and would give effect to the intentions of the Legislature so far as tho Aot was concerned. '. I ■■'■ .:■..■■ Increased Rents. Mr. A. M. Myers (Auckland East) asked that the subject of increased rents should be added to the Commission's order of reference.; : The Prime Minister, said that the order of reference, must be within the four corners of, llio Act, and'the Act did not provide for a review of rentals. He hoped no landlords'would take_ advantage of the conditions that obtained to increase rents; they would be very unwise to do it. If necessary, legislation would'bo passed. : * •'" • Mr. Myers: It has been reported to me that some of them have done it. STATE ADVANCES. Mr. V. H. Reed (Bay of Islands) asked the Minister of Financa whether ho would direct that preference"should be given to those applicants for loans from, the State Advances Department who would undertake to expend the money on building, bush-felling, or other work requiring labour, especially in the country districts. ( Mr. Allen replied that the State Advances Department was not. in a position to make large loans to settlers but would be able'to givo small loans up to £500 for development and country works. Bush-felling would be one of tho items recognised, but as to building he was not so sure; it would require consideration. . I Sir AValter Buchanan (Wairarapa) asked what the position was in regard to advancos for workers' dwellings. The Ministor\said that the advances would be continued but he was not sure that the.full amount of £450 would be lent. The board had '■ recommended tliat the maximum should be reduced to £350, but Cabinet had not yet decided the matter. PROVISION FOR DEPENDENTS. Mr. T. K. Sidcy (Dunedin South) raised the question of provision for the dependents of members of the Expeditionary Force.. The Minister of Defence said that in tho case of both the advance guard and tho main force half-pay was being retained in New Zealand. He was not quite sure whether every member of tho advance force had signed a document allotting his pay to bis dependents, but in rogard to tho main forco oveiy care was being taken to see that every man who went away allocated his half-pay, and anything more he cared to allocate. They wero also being called upon to mako provision' for their debts and also to make provision in the allocation to keep alivd any life' insurance policies they had. As regarded 'railway half-pay, the question was one for the Minister of Railways, but tho railwaymen would be treated in exactly tho same way and would be asked to allocate half-pay to thoir dependents. • . Imperial Reservists. Mr.' T. M. Wifford asked what was being dono about Imperial Reservists. Ho cited the case of a man who had been called away' from , tho Petono Workshops. He would loso 9s. 6d. a day, and his Imperial pay would bo Is. 7d. a day. This meant that his wifo and family would bo left with nothing to support them. The Prime Minister said that the Government was makiiig a supplementary, emit to Into.erial Reservists which I

would increase their pay to 4s. a day. This would bo the pay of a private and non-commissioned officers would get more. The payment made- by the Imperial Government was miserably inadequate. 1 Mr. Wilford. said that the amount to bo provided would not pay the rent. Mr. .Massey 'said that there wero so many of these people that ho was afraid the Government could do no more. Sir J. Ward said that he had understood the Prime Minister to say a few days ago that New Zealand would pay everything in connection with the Expeditionary Force. Mr. Massey: Not in the case of reservists, The Minister of Defence said that Imperial Reservists would be asked to allocate practically the whole of their pay to the support of their dependents. ,lt was not- cloal whether the Imperial Government would pay a "separation allowance"—it was at the discretion of the Army Council. ' The New Zealand Government would make the allowance, and hoped to recover it, from the Imperial Government later\on. As to the Expeditionary 'Force New' Zealand would pay everything. PRODUCE AND SHIPMENTS. 'Mr. W. Nosworthy (Ashburton) said that ,the present position in Canterbury ivas that not a'single freezing works was open, while a great many of the' farmers had a lot of fat stock which thoy were not able to deal with. He suggested that the Government should guarantee at least one freezing works being opened to enable farmers to deal with their stock. " The Prime Minister said that he could not definitely reply to the question there and then, but he would ask {he Agricultural Department to go . carefully dnto the position, 'and if it became necessary' for the Government to take active steps they would be glad to do anything they could. THE PATRIOTIC FUND. Mr. G. Witty (Ricoarton) said that he had been asked by local bodies to urge that the law should be amended, so as to permit local bodies to spend money through funds other than the umpire Defence Fund. Mr. Allen replied that" the .matter had been very, carefully considered and tull provision had been made for the relief of the injured, and the widows and children of those who lost their lives. The Government also had made provision for the local to contribute to the Empire Defence Fund. He was rattier sorry that so many funds were being created.' The Empire Defence Fund had been set up with the idea of consolidating resources and obviating waste and duplication. Money j be : donated for, specifio purposes, and would be accounted for accordingly, and every penny of expenditure would be carefully watched. .. — i YOUTHFUL VOLUNTEERB. Mr.. H. Atmore (Nelson) raised..a question as to .the age of enlistment in the Expeditionary Forces. He understood, he said, that many boys were being taken who were under 19. The Defence Minister had said that seasoned men only would be taken. ' .Mr. Allen said, that he agreed that" the age of eighteen was much too young- In faot, he was rather, inolined to think that twenty was too joung, but it had been.found necessary to adopt twenty as the .minimum in. the present condition of the Territorial organisation., Strict instructions had been issued, t0..-the officer, in command of every district that every man was to produce his birth. certificate or Territorial record.,,.Mr, .-Atmojo:had sent him. three names' ; of young" men. who were under age. Instructions., had been 1 , sent to the G.O.C. that these young men were to be found and that they were liot to go. "Wo .don't want them," said the Minister. .'"We 'admire their desire to go and all that sort of thing, but we don't think it right that they should go." Mr. Atmore said that m Nelson birth certificates were, not being demanded . Mr.■'Allen: Then they are not obeying instructions. I'am' very felad vou told me.■■ '■ ' . .■-

S.S. KAIPARA OVERDUE

REINSURANCEAT THIRTY GUINEAS PER CENT. By Telegraph-Press (Reo. August 26, 8.5 p.m.) ■ ■„,'.' London, August 25. Thirty guineas per cent, has been paid to remisure the Kodpara, whioh left Monte Video on August 1, and lias mot been heard of since. Captain H, Makepeace is in command of the Kaipara, and.has "associated with him the following officers:—Messrs. H\ J. Wilde (chief); H. T. Fell (second), D. Paterson (third), W." K. Fowler (fourth), F. Marshall (ohief engineer) W. Smith (second), W..Morris (third , R. Wilson (fourth), C. Park (fifth), and H. Somorville (sixth). Mr: G; Jones is in" charge of-the refrigerating machinery, and Mr. H. Ballack is second. Dr. Macß-ae is ship's surgeon, Mr. F.. PL Shrimpton controls the wireless tion, and Mr. J. M. Kebblewhite is chief / steward. ..

GERMAN RAIDERS

SOUTH AFRICAN TERRITORY ENTERED.-

London, August 24. Reuter confirms the message that the Germans in South-West Africa raided Union Territory. . They had been making preparations for some timo. ' A. force from.Windhoek, its strength unknown, crossed tho Orange River and entered Namaqualand?' On the way the Germane came iiito; conflict with Boer farmers,-who are settled in.German'territory. A few Germans were killed. The invaders are now in a sandy, waterless region, and unable •to move far from the river. ... The raid was not dangerous, but theUnion - Government is taking forcible measures to, prevent a repetition.

The German military forces in SouthWest Africa- consist .of 2992 men, according to ,the. "Statesman's Year Book." The. European population is about 15,000 all told. Windhoek is the administrative centre of the colony, and is 150 miles from the South African border.

A series of short lectures will be delivered in the Concert Chamber of-the Town Hall on Friday night next, at 8 o'clock, in aid ,of the Mayor's Patriotic Fund. Tho lectures, at which His Excellency will preside, deal with subjects suggested by the war, and are as follow:—"Economic Aspect* of tho War," by Mr. F. P. Wilson, M.A. (Lecturer ,in Economics at Victoria College), who will show how the industry and wealth of nations are" affected by preparations for war, by the actual fact of war, and by the necessary work of reconstruction that follows war; Mr. H. H. Cornish, M.A. (of Banks' College), who will deal with Pan-Germanism, a movement that lias,been described by . a distinguished writer as "the most'audacious attempt over made consciously to influonco tb rough a long term of years the destinies of Europe and the world" ; and Surgeon-Captain Shand, M.8., M.R.C.S. (who will discuss tho work of medical corps on tho field of battle, and will give an interesting account of the merciful work of tho Red Cross. The lectures will bo interspersed with patriotic songs by well-known Wellington vocalists,