MILITARY SERVICE

Grey River Argus, 27 February 1917, Page 3

MILITARY SERVICE

m BRITAIN'S GREAT ARMY OVER FIVE MILLION MEN (Australian ana JN.£. Cable Assn.) LONDON, February, 24. A White i'aper shows that five million troops are on the Home and colonial establishments exclusive pf those serving in India. There are also additional Navy estimates for fifty thousand officers and men. THE REFERENDUM DISAPPOINTMENT TO TROOPS (Australian and N:Z. tJable Assn) SYDNEY, February 26, In a letter Brigadier-General Paton refers to the disappointment of all ranks at the defeat pf the Referendum. He states that the ranks^haye been sorely depleted, and if not reinforced they would have to cut up one division to fill the others. Mr Hughes is summoning a round--the-table conference pf all political organisations supporting"' the Government to secure united action. APPEAL DISMISSED. QUESTION OF.- NATIONALITY. (Per Press Association.) H AWERA, February 24. The Military Boar.d. to-day received an opin.ipn from the SolicitorGeneral with reference to the appeal of Fredrick Anet-t, on the ground that he is an alien. The Solicitor-General stated that the appellant having been born in New Zealand is a natural "born British subject and reservist. The nationality of the parents is immaterial. The appeal was dismissed.. CLERGY AND THE BALLOT CHURCHES TO BE CLOSED ACTION BY BISHOP OF LONDON. TO FREE CLERGY FOR WAR WORK • (• 'Renter's" Telegram.) (Rec. February 26, n. 35 p.m.) LONDON, February, 24. The Bishop of London is closing the London; Churches except eight, so as to free clergy and chaplains for national service. DEPUTATION TO HON. G. W. RUSSELL. ALLEGATIONS MADE. MINISTER KEFUSES SPECIFIC ANSWER. (Per Press Association ) CHRISTCHUIICH, February 2(5. A deputation representing the Ministers' Association, waited upon the Hon. G. W. Russell on the subject of exemptions from military service. The leputation did not asic for the exempion of ministers and school teachers, >ut for complete equality in the matter rf the clergy and teachers. It was Uleged that , the Roman Catholic, Jhurch Avas receiving consideration in the matter of exemptions for her •lergy and religious and in the . interests of the public peace, and that pf - he --common- good,- an understanding was much desired. The deputation wished that there should be equal treatment for all. Hon. G. W. Russell cited sections of the Act under which the Catholic Church had acted, and which were upen to all denominations. He could not give a specific answer to the assertion that there was a secret understanding between the Government and the Catholic Church. ' CATHOLIC FEDERATIONS PROTEST (Per Press Association.) NELSON. February 26. The Nelson branch of the Catholic Federation last night unanimously pressed a motion protesting against the calling up of priests, theological I students, and members of religious I orders. v