THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 22 September 1914, Page 5

THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

A SMART, SOLDIERLY LOT. '

[By Tklegravh—Speotal to Stab.T WELLINGTON, Sep. 22. The date of sailing of iN'ew Zealand's part of tho Empire Army has;not been fixed, but the Defence authorities have commenced <to embark the horses and heavy equipment, arid a march thrbugt the city by the battery. gave Wellingtonians a view of the smart, soldier 155 lot of young fellows. . \ ■''■ '/'■''■

The Minister of Defence expressed to . a Star correspondent his keen pleasure at what he saw -in the four training camps. He is particularly enthusiastic wer the artillery.l "I am satisfied there is no brigade of artillery Agoing from any of the Dominions any better than the New Zealand one; officers, horses, and men," he declared. "I haye been to all the four camps and am highly pleased with everything. The personnel is - splendid and a good deal of weeding out has been done. The men who remain; are a very different lot after their training, which has done them an immense amount of good. I am told by good military experts that the improvement under training has been most marked. The men are in good fettle and a_ ;hardy determined lot yl am sure they will give, a good account of themselves." ( ' "V. " "When everything is counted up the ■■; patriotic fund will he- little short1 of £200,000 : " remarked the Prim* Minister to your correspondent. '"This, is iri-' eluding money subscribed for local purposes.: Our first oonsideratioh* Has b^eri' to provide proper, equipment for the ■ expeditionary force.; That has been done.' and now we must consider other needs.* Further legislation may be necessary to facilitate the application of local furidsi We are doing everything to meet tho unemployment difficulty, our" public works not. having been slackened to the slightest extent." \