DOMINION NEWS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 31 May 1915, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

PROGRESS OF RECRUITING

A DECIDED IMPROVEMENT

NO OCCASION FOR EXCITEMENT

MANHOOD OF THE COUNTRY DOING ITS DUTY.

BANDS FOR THE TRENTHAM

REGIMENT.

THE FIFTH REINFORCEMENTS

COME WELL THROUGH SEVERE

TEST

BY TELEGKAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, May 30. A statement on recruiting was made by the Prime Minister. "People sometimes forget," he said, "that for the last few weeks very much larger numbers than usual have been required, for in addition to the usual reinforcements we. have been asked for nearly 3000 men to make up a special force offered and accepted a month ago. This meant a heavy strain on the community, but I have not the slightest doubt we shall get the full number. Within the last fortnight there has been a very decided improvement, and men are coming forward in a very satisfactory manner. There is no occasion for excitement. The manhood of the country is

. doing ita duty .well. We entered into engagements to-send a Specified-nun berof men at definite...dates as long as the war lasts, and the men v.ill Oe 6fcn T More may be wanted to go into train! ing. If so we wiU ask for, them and I am confident the Dominion will not disappoint us.

In the meantime I am proud to say that in proportion to population New Zealana leads the other Dominions in the assistance given to the Empire, and we intend to keep that positio/however mrSin r r f/T la^: lam rot speaking m a boastful spirit, but just to let the people know we'are doing our duty In the meantime it is the duty of overv young man who is. physically fit/and 7*° ca*P°*»Mj get away, to lespond to the Empire's call, and register with the military authorities, so that as n.ore JNew Zealanders are wanted to go into camp they will be forthcoming Shout any difficulty, and- the reputation of SSn ZeaM de? for courage and patritaSTd » n hlghj WiU be rrain-

WELLINGTON, May 29. Ihe new battalions which will be known henceforth as ■-the Trentham Regiment (the Earl of Liverpool's Own) commenced going into camp to-day large draughts of men arriving from various parts of the country. Further batches will.go in to-morrow, and the remainder on Monday, bringing the 3? w\™?» Wto «» strlgtl. As tne battalions comprising the infantry brigade of the Main NeS Zealand & petitionary Force were provided b y the respective districts with bands, the hope is expressed that the TreAtham Kegiment will not be overlooked by the public in this respect. Two battalions can be provided with band instruments and drums for £300, which necessitates a eontrbutiori W only>^7s frdtn each of the, four, military ditriqts. Southland has already offered to do its share, aiid ?2?*3?f act?*f: iroin>d^er di&i tricts is looked forward to. The new battalion will also require 32 bandsmen and 32 buglecs. . The fifth reinforcements have now reached the advanced stages of their training and are being thoroughly tested. The four infantry companies were put through a severe ordear on Inursday and Friday, when they were engaged in continuous operations for dli hours, sleeping out at night and making an attack at dawn under heavy ram, and putting in lengthy marches. Ihey came through the ordeal with credit and displayed a specially fine soldierly spirit. This morning they were sent out again on a fourteen-mile route march. The test for. the arms will be continued next week.