THE "EIGHTH"

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 110, 5 November 1915, Page 8

THE "EIGHTH"

P.EINFORCEMKK'XS CiO 10 CHRIST-

CHUS-CIT.

A scheme of sending draft reiuforcc-ir.;-?its 'to visit centres other than Wellington lias for some lima past been under the consideration of the Government, and it has been decided lo make a beginning with the 3th. They will embark for I.yttelton on the ]2th'itist., and march through t*ie streets of Christchurch on the Saturday and Snr.day before re-embarking at lytteltoc. Apart from its possible value as a recruiting agency, the spectacle of the troops marching through the streets will naturally appeal very" strongly to the ir.habita.llt3 of the Cathedral city.

3pea.liing on Vce subject to a Post reporter to-day, the Prime Minister (Right Hun. W. V. JMass^y! said it was possible that the 9th ReiEiorcanMits vrouM pay a visit to Auckland beiors embarking. As to allowing other centres than Wellington to have the privilege of (irst p'/eeting onr returned wounded, Mr. JUassey said that policy would be carried out where it was found to be expedient and convenient-. Tile Hon. J. Allen (Minister of Defence) added that the chief point to consider Was the recf>:«liliom;:<fof our transports, so as to ■enable the Government to fulfil it,, contract to -send supplies of men ev»ry four weeks. That re-conditioning could be donp. most effectively, economically, and quickly at Porf, Chalmers. That was the view of the' Transport Board.