A STRONG GARRISON NECESSARY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 59, 7 September 1914, Page 8

A STRONG GARRISON NECESSARY

ADMINISTRATION OF NEW POSSESSION. Shortly after 10 o'clock Commander Ward, of the troopship, made an official report to the Governor. Subsequently a meeting of the. Executive was held in the Cabinet-room, His Excellency the Governor being in attendance. Later, the Prime Minister, when interviewed by The Post representative, said there was practically nothing more to add to the report that had been previously published. No official document had come to him. Commander Ward had reported officially to His Excellency the Governor. "We have been informed," continued the Hon. Mr. Massey, "tha\- i in effecting a landing at Samoa one soldier broke a small bone in his leg. That was the only casualty. As regards the occupation at Samoa, it will be necessary to maintain a strong garrison for some time. The men are entrenching and making the position stronger.' 1 Questioned as to the administration of Britain's new possession in the Pacific, Mr. ftlassey replied that it was being carried Oh under Imperial control. "Will the Advance Guard take part in any further Imperial enterprise? was the next question. " I cannot answer that question," replied the Prime Minister. "_The instructions^ the Imperial authorities are very definite, and I connot go against them." In regard to the future movements of the troopship Moeraki, the Prime Minister stated that her engagement as a troopship had practically finished. Private Artnur Adams, of Krummerroad, Auckland, is the only one of the twenty-one invalids who returned from Samoa by the Moeraki to-day who has so far entered the Wellington Hospital. He has stomach trouble. The case is not considered serious.