EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 33, 7 August 1914, Page 2

EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

PREPARATIONS BEING MADE NO NEED TO SEND-lP YET. Speaking to a Post reporter yesterday on the subject of the "proposed expeditionary force, the MimSsiter „<}f Defence^ (Hon. J. AllenJ' said thai 1 in'&n- were b'e-'j* ing enlisted on the ' condition Hhat they' volunteered for service abroad if tho necessity should arise^ "Our advice at present i 3 that there ia no' need to send them, but we are atoo advised that it is wise to take every precaution." Ho did not think that the whole of the men mobilised would be required. It would be a mixed force, comprising all arms, and consist of something like 8000 men. Their first duty would bo to defend New Zealand, if necessary If news came from the Mother Country that they were wanted elsewheie their duty would immediately bo Empire Defence, and' they would go where they we/c sent. The Defence Department was, he added, in an extraordinarily good position as regarded the equipment of bucli a force. Ihere were very few things lacking, such, for instance) as small arnjs, ammunition carts. These had been ordeied and are being con&tructed. It would not involve a very largo expenditure— they would have to be provided in any case. There is a note on tlie Estimates for 1 them, as the Defence authorities anticipated tho need for their construction. The Minister added that application for service in the expeditionary forco should not be sent to himself or to headquarters, but in every case io District Commanders. CITY COUNCIL EMPLOYEES EVERY FACILITY TO BE GIVEN AND BILLETS KEPT OPEN. N During question time at the City Council meeting last evening, Councillor R-. Fletcher asked the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) what tho position would be with regard to any Corporation employee who desired to join the expeditionary force. The Mayor : If any officer or workman associated with the City Council desires to join the expeditionary force, the City Council will give him every opportunity of doing so and will keep Ins billet open. (Hear, hear.) Councillor R. Fletcher: Will they follow tho example of the Liverpool, London, and Globe Company? There was no further discussion on the subject.